Council welcomes yabby net changes from 1 July

Adelaide Hills Council are celebrating a win for biodiversity with the South Australian Government announcing it will ban the use of opera house style yabby nets (OHT’s), effective from 1 July 2023.

The welcomed change is set to protect native aquatic fauna at risk from the use of the enclosed style nets and bring South Australia in line with the majority of the other Australian States.

"This is a huge win for all wildlife adversely affected by these traps," said Adelaide Hills Council Biodiversity Officer, Tonia Brown.

"This regulatory change will help to protect species such as Rakali (Water-rats), Platypus and fresh-water turtles that have been continued to be exposed to this serious threat."

Adelaide Hills Council has been a long-time advocate for these changes, with considerable efforts put into educating residents and lobbying the State Government for an immediate ban on enclosed yabby nets.

"This decision further compliments Council’s continued commitment to managing biodiversity across all Council owned lands, including waterways and lakes, through its Biodiversity Strategy and Council Bylaws."

The ban will impact all fishers across the State, both recreational and commercial. Fishers will still be able to use pyramid nets for yabby fishing, allowing people across South Australia to fish for yabbies without the need to change gear.

For more information about the types of permitted fishing equipment permissible after the 1 July 2023 see the Department of Primary Industries and Regions website.

Pictured above: opera house style yabby nets (Australian Platypus Conservancy) and a Rakali swimming (captured by Colin Phil Cook).