Use of enclosed yabbie nets, such as opera house nets, will be banned in Victoria from July 2019 – in a bid to protect our native platypus.

Hundreds of platypuses are killed each year after making their Way into the nets (to eat the yabbies), becoming trapped and drowning. As a result, the population has almost been halved in recent years.

CH Smith Marine joins a number of retailers who have removed the nets from shelves >Ahead of the ban.

Wildlife conservationist groups have welcomed the news. The ban is already in place in Tasmania and Western Australia. Offenders caught using the traps face a $37,000 fine or up to two years in jail.

There will be a swap over scheme offered by the government for your existing yabbie nets – Stay tuned here, details to come.

Until then, you can check out our Range of approved yabbie nets here at CH Smith Marine – or phone us on on (03) 9403 4800.

For more information, please visit the Victorian Fisheries website.

You can also report platypus sightings through the platypusSPOT app.