Ban Opera House Nets

Wildlife Queensland calls for our state government to stop stalling and ban deadly enclosed yabby traps (opera house nets) before more aquatic mammals suffer.

Since 2009, Wildlife Queensland has been pushing for a ban on opera house-style traps and funnel traps in Queensland. Read more about how enclosed traps pose a deadly threat to air-breathing aquatic mammals.

In 2014, the government of the day amended regulations to significantly reduce the size of the entrance hole of traps being used east of the Great Dividing Range and east of the Gore Highway.

While this action was a step in the right direction, platypuses and other non-targeted air-breathing native fauna still continue to be caught and drown in these traps — and their deaths are entirely preventable.

We need more action to prevent these tragedies. And that’s where you come in.

Write to the Minister

Every other Australian state where the iconic platypus lives has banned these deadly traps. Yet Queensland still hasn’t acted. Wildlife Queensland is calling for Queensland to follow the other states’ lead and say no to enclosed yabby traps!

We need action now to protect our iconic platypuses before any more drown. When community members speak up together, decision-makers listen. Every single letter to the Minister counts. The more letter received, the bigger the impact.

Please take a few minutes today to write a polite, personal letter to:

The Honourable Tony Perrett MP, the Minister for Primary Industries:
Email: [email protected]

To make a difference, each letter must be unique. You can write in your own words or include these key points:

• Enclosed yabby traps, including opera house nets, are a proven threat to platypuses, rakali, turtles, and waterbirds.
• It’s heartbreaking that preventable deaths of platypus and other air-breathing aquatic wildlife continue when safe and effective alternatives exist.
• A Queensland government consultation survey showed overwhelming public support for a ban; the time for review has passed.
• Wildlife-safe alternatives like open-top lift nets are already available and widely supported by recreational fishers.
• A full ban will prevent needless suffering and protect our iconic species.
• I look forward to seeing Queensland join other states in protecting our unique freshwater species.

Please copy (cc) your email to the Minister for the Environment and Tourism, the Honourable Andrew Powell, at [email protected], and to [email protected], so that Wildlife Queensland can track community support.

Together, we can help Queensland finally do what’s right: ban these cruel and outdated death traps once and for all.