The grim discovery of a dead platypus in Warburton East has prompted concerns surrounding a lack of regard from fishing enthusiasts in the area.
Warburton East resident Trevor Davy was patrolling the Yarra River for discarded fishing gear when he discovered the poor platypus wrapped in an abandoned net on 12 May.
The nets were found off Cement Creek Road and he said the discovery left him disappointed at the lack of regard for the local wildlife, especially for such an important species in Australia.
“I’m just so disappointed that these people have put these nets in, don’t retrieve them when you’re supposed to be looking after them. But they just leave them in, they don’t care.”
“So it was very disappointing to see it because he was quite a big one, which is a shame to see,” Mr Davy said.
Mr Davy contacted the Victorian Fisheries Authority and fisheries officers attended the scene.
Conservation Regulator chief conservation regulator Kate Gavens said fishing enthusiasts should show more regard with their fish netting.
“Volunteers do a great job reducing the risk posed by abandoned fishing gear to our native wildlife but they shouldn’t have to do it.
“We need everyone to make sure their fishing gear is being used legally to reduce the risk to our native wildlife.”
Fisheries officers enforce laws surrounding fishing practices in Victoria and are responsible for stopping instances such as the death of this platypus from occurring.
But, as part of the State Government’s 2025-26 budget state public sector cuts, 30 fisheries officers positions were made redundant on 20 May.
The cuts left only 39 fisheries officers to patrol 170,000 kilometres of inland water frontage along 85,000 kilometres of rivers and creeks.
Mr Davy warned of the potential consequences this would have on Victoria’s waters.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have the people anymore who regulate that sort of industry. Which is a shame, because without them, the whole system is going to be unregulated. That means across the board, ocean, estuaries, lakes, you’ll end up with more stories like this,” Mr Davy said.
Mr Davy said the incident wasn’t due to a lack of information around the rules of fishing, but rather a lack of care.
“They’re all aware of the rules and regulations around fishing, because fisheries put out a book that covers all the rules and regulations for all the rivers and estuaries around Australia.”
“So it’s not enough information, there’s plenty of information, it’s just that people are just ignorant and they just don’t simply care. And unfortunately these little guys are the ones which are copping it,” he said.
Illegal or abandoned nets and traps in waterways are a threat to native wildlife including turtles, platypus and rakali.
Penalties can apply for abandoning nets and traps that harm wildlife and it is illegal in Victoria to use certain types of fishing equipment in public waterways.
“Platypus, turtles and rakali are at risk of being trapped in abandoned or illegal nets and we are hoping that someone will come forward with information about these nets,” Ms Gavens said.
“Platypus are listed as vulnerable in Victoria. They are protected and it is an offence to injure or kill them.”
The Conservation Regulator, which sits within the department of environment (DEECA), is seeking information from the public about the incident and urges anyone with information relating to incidents of wildlife cruelty to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
If one would like to report illegal or abandoned nets, call 13FISH (133474).
