Covert Department of Fisheries Officers detected a number of large illegal fishing traps in the Lachlan River last week.

Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Officer Jason Baldwin has put the increased illegal activity down to good flows in the Lachlan River lately.

“We seized a number of fish traps discovered in the rivers with one very large heavily constructed illegal trap brought back to base.

“The large steel trap was found in Booberoi Weir downstream of Kiacatoo and was over 2.5 metres long.

“These traps are banned in our freshwater rivers and creeks because they excerpt excess fishing pressure and are indiscriminate killers that can kill native fish as well as platypus, turtles and birds,” Mr Baldwin said.

Maximum fine for placing illegal traps could potentially be $22,000 or a prison sentence.

Is the fine and punishments for oversized fishing traps too steep?