Drowned turtle reminder to fishers to check traps

Media release: 12 December 2014

The sad discovery of a marine turtle dead in a crab trap at Lake Wooloweyah has prompted a reminder to fishers of their responsibility to check their traps regularly to help prevent drowning of these marine creatures, listed under the Threatened Species Conservation 1995.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Clarence South Area Manager, Andrew Lugg said the turtle, still in the trap, was discovered on Tuesday (9/12) by Clarence Valley Council staff undertaking weed control work along the edge of the Lake.

“Unlike crabs, turtles need to surface to breathe and can drown if they enter the trap and are unable to return to the surface”, Mr Lugg said.

“This is the second incident in recent months involving a marine turtle impacted by fishing gear.

“In October a mature green turtle needing to be rescued after it had become entangled in a trap float line in the Sandon estuary”.

DPI Acting Director Recreational Fisheries, Cameron Westaway said that reducing the soak time by checking traps regularly will also reduce the probability of air breathing animals (such as turtles) drowning.

“NSW DPI recommends that fishers use crab traps that have small entrances or funnels to prevent turtles being able to enter the trap,” Mr Westaway said.

“We also encourage people to follow advice on the NSW DPI website which recommends using rectangular, open ended collapsible crab traps which can be easily modified to prevent turtles from entering by reducing the entrance size using a cable tie, piece of wire or similar.”

Information on how to prevent traps impacting on turtles can be found here:  www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/saltwater/crab-traps-preventing-turtle-drownings

 

Image of turtle found dead in trap at Lake Wooloweyah:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/26814718@N08/15800807270/

Contact: Lawrence Orel