Illegal fish traps found in river

The City of Gosnells is reminding residents that it is illegal to trap wildlife, including water species, following reports of fish traps set in the Southern River where it flows through William Lane Reserve in Gosnells.

Deputy Mayor Adam Hort said City staff had recovered one illegal fish trap and would continue to patrol the area to check for more traps.

“We are asking community members to report any sightings of these traps to either the City or the State Government’s FishWatch hotline,” he said.

“It is illegal to trap, take or injure local wildlife in the City of Gosnells under the Local Government Property Local Law, and fish traps are illegal across Western Australia because they kill wildlife cruelly and indiscriminately.”

Photographs shared by community members on social media showed two native turtles killed by the nets.

“We would urge anyone who wishes to try their hand at fishing, whether for fish or marron, to first check the rules for recreational fishing on the Department for Primary Industries and Regional Development’s website,” Cr Hort said.

Penalties for using fish traps apply.

To report a fish trap, call the City on 9397 3000 or FishWatch on 1800 815 507.
Recreational fishing rules can be found at fish.wa.gov.au.