It's time to act on trapped turtle issue
PUBLIC concern for the protection of turtles inside Port Stephens continues to grow following the report of yet another entanglement in a crab net.
Crabbing in Port waters is a fun activity carried out by visitors and residents alike, particularly during the summer holiday period when the surface of the water from Soldiers Point to Karuah, Tilligerry Creek, Lemon Tree, Carrington and North Arm Cove is "littered" with milk bottles.
The milk bottles are used as crab floats on which the information required by Fisheries is written. Each float is attached to a rope that is tied to a baited, netted trap which sits on the bottom awaiting the arrival of a blue swimmer or mud crab.
Unfortunately the nets, of the witches hat or wide mouthed collapsible design, have also claimed the lives of far too many turtles and birds which are attracted by the bait, become entangled in the net and drown.
Those who wish to protect the turtles are not advocating the end to crabbing, but are keen to investigate other methods of catching crabs that are not threatening to the turtle population. I think I have the answer.
Heavy gauge "dilly nets" have a far less chance of turtle entanglement and are effective crab catchers. Other traps with smaller entrances, not large enough for a turtle to enter yet wide enough for a crab, would also prove successful.
The next move is up to NSW Fisheries, who are soon to release the results of the "Bag and Size Limit Review". It is hoped that the Port Stephens turtle issue will be addressed at the same time.
Stinker