Choosing the right bait when you go fishing can play a vital role in protecting our waterways from exotic diseases that could wreak havoc with local industries.
Launching a new bait education campaign, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner today urged people planning to go fishing over the long weekend to choose their bait carefully.
Mr Furner said protecting the state’s pristine waterways from exotic diseases was a number one priority and one we could all play a part in.
“As Queenslanders we love to get out with our families and friends and have a fish,” he said.
“It’s a fun and relaxing activity, but it’s important that we use the right bait.
“Using supermarket prawns as bait could introduce diseases such as white spot disease into our waterways.
“That’s why I am asking fishers to help protect the seafood industry in Queensland and buy their bait from the bait shop, service station or catch their own.”
Three years ago white spot disease wiped out production on seven prawn farms on the Logan River in South East Queensland.
“We all need to be responsible with the bait we use because disease outbreaks like that one can be devastating for local jobs,” Mr Furner said.
“A possible pathway for diseases such as white spot entering our waterways is the use of supermarket prawns as bait,” Mr Furner said.
“Many fishers are already aware of this but there are others who may not realise the risk, which is why we’re educating everybody on the dos and don’ts.”
The state-wide bait awareness campaign runs until the end of May 2020.
