South Australia will ban the use of opera house style yabby nets, effective from July 1 to further protect platypus and other animals at risk from the use of the nets.

The ban follows extensive research and consultation with the key recreational fishing stakeholder groups.

It will also bring consistency for fishers travelling between states as the ban will put South Australia in line with most other states – Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania – who have already banned the nets.

Queensland allows use of the nets only in limited areas, where platypus or at-risk animals are not located.

Opera-house style nets pose a significant threat to air-breathing aquatic animals such as platypus, freshwater turtles and Rakali (water rats), with the ban impacting both recreational and commercial fishers.

PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture Executive Director Professor Gavin Begg said fishers would still be able to use pyramid nets for yabby fishing, allowing people across South Australia to still be able to fish for yabbies without the need to change gear.

“Engagement with the former Minister’s Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee and more recently RecFish SA has been an important part in finalising this decision and who were consulted throughout the planning stage,” he said.

“The biggest issue with the nets is the real dangers that we identified to air-breathing animals that can get caught in them.

“With that risk in mind there was a common desire to ensure people could still enjoy the time-honoured tradition of yabbying in a way that did not impact on the non-targeted species.

“On that basis we worked together to deliver a result that meets those needs and at the same time placing the state in line with the practices that are now in place across most of Australia.

“Fishers currently in possession of opera house yabby nets will need to obtain and be aware of the different options to legally fish for yabbies in South Australia.

“As part of this transition the use of alternative gear, being the open-topped Pyramid net style gear type, has been permitted in South Australia since July 1, 2021.

“In the lead up to the ban the department will be communicating with recreational and commercial fishing sectors and retail stakeholders as broadly as possible to ensure everyone is aware and abreast of the new arrangements that will come into effect from July.”