Anglers urged to use ‘own’ fish baits

RECREATIONAL fishers are being warned to use Australian bait.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Bill Byrne said using raw and imported prawns as bait could unknowingly introduce serious diseases into our waterways.

“The campaign we are launching asks all fishers to check their bait before they go out fishing, to make sure it is Australian wild-caught bait from a quality bait supplier, or to catch their own,” he said.

“This message is very important, as we all need to do our bit to help protect our natural waterways and our fishing and aquaculture industries, which are vital industries in Queensland, by making sure diseases aren’t introduced or spread.”

To help get this message out to Queensland fishers, cricket legend and avid fisherman, Andrew Symonds, has come on board as the star of the campaign, featuring in a video advertisement and a series of posters.

“Andrew reminds us to not use prawns from the supermarket as bait as they are meant for human consumption only,” Mr Byrne said.

“He then hooks a big snapper with some prawns he caught himself, which reinforces the message to catch your own bait or buy it from a quality bait supplier.”

The “more than important” message follows a white spot disease outbreak in Moreton Bay in December 2016.