2018-08-21
The petition of certain citizens of the state of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council:
(1) Opera house nets — a type of yabbie fishing net — are currently illegal in public waterways but it is estimated that 100 000 are sold throughout Australia each year, most with very little information regarding their legalities or repercussions.
(2) Opera house nets are a major threat to platypus as the animals get trapped inside while foraging for food, and then drown within 2 to 3 minutes.
(3) Many opera house nets are used during the summer months when the female platypuses are most active foraging for food to nourish their babies. If a mother platypus dies, her young will certainly starve and perish.
(4) There are currently alternative yabbie nets available on the market, such as hoop nets, that pose no danger to platypus or any other native water wildlife, such as water rats or turtles.
The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council of Victoria call on the government to introduce legislation for the purpose of putting a ban on the sale of opera house nets throughout Victoria.
By Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan) (433 signatures).
Ordered to be considered next day on motion of Ms PENNICUIK (Southern Metropolitan).
Laid on table.