The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a new Check Your Bait campaign aimed at protecting State waterways from exotic diseases.
Minister for Fisheries, Mark Furner said choosing the right bait when fishing played an important role in protecting waterways from exotic diseases that could wreak havoc with local industries.
“Protecting the State’s pristine waterways from exotic diseases is a number one priority and one we can all play a part in,” Mr Furner said.
“As Queenslanders, we love to get out with our families and friends and have a fish —it’s a fun and relaxing activity, but it’s important that we use the right bait.”
He said using supermarket prawns as bait could introduce diseases such as white spot disease into waterways.
“That’s why I am asking fishers to help protect the seafood industry in Queensland and buy their bait from a bait shop, service station or catch their own,” Mr Furner said.
“Three years ago white spot disease wiped out production on seven prawn farms on the Logan River in South-East Queensland.”
The Minister said many fishers were already aware of the danger of using supermarket prawns as bait.
“However, there are others who may not realise the risk, which is why we’re educating everybody on the dos and don’ts,” he said.
The Check Your Bait campaign runs until the end of May.
