Take your tackle: Anglers urged to keep it clean at reservoirs

SA Water is reminding visitors to fish responsibly at its reservoir reserves after 4 pelicans became entangled in discarded fishing line at Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve and required rescue.

With reservoir reserves busier during school holidays, anglers are encouraged to do their part to help protect local wildlife by disposing of fishing lines, hooks, bait packets and other tackle responsibly.

Visitors are also reminded that invasive carp and redfin must not be returned to reservoir waters. SA Water’s Manager of Reservoirs Damian Stam said it was important that all reservoir visitors remember they should never feed any wildlife as that can not only harm them, but also teach animals such as birds and ducks to interact with people.

“Similarly, people should not leave any fish on the reservoir shorelines – including pest species such as carp and redfin – as this can unintentionally provide an easy food source for birds, teaching them to associate people with food, Damian said.

“A recent incident at Happy Valley Reservoir Reserve saw a pelican swoop in to snatch a carp from an angler’s line before it could be landed, highlighting how these birds can begin to see people as food providers.

“This behaviour possibly stems from people interacting with the animals, including by leaving pest fish species on the shorelines. “While it is a requirement that anglers do not return pest fish species to the water, as outlined in the permits and Primary Industry and Regions SA (PIRSA) regulations, by not disposing of them properly and taking them offsite has contributed to human interactions with birds.

“In some cases, people have been seen tossing fish at the birds. Anglers are reminded it is a requirement they take any pest fish and dispose of them offsite, and do not clean any fish onsite.”

Anglers are also reminded that it is a condition of the permit that carp, redfin and other prescribed non native species must be removed from the site and not returned to the water.

Any fish caught to be kept must not be cleaned on an SA Water site nor any part of the fish (alive or dead) be left at the reservoir reserve. This helps to protect water quality but also ensures there is no food source left for vermin or other animals, and stop wildlife such as birds interacting with people.

Damian said simple actions can make a significant difference in protecting the environment.

“Our reservoir reserves are wonderful places to enjoy recreational fishing, but we all have a role to play in keeping these areas safe for wildlife and the environment,” Damian said.

At SA Water we provide our state’s most important and essential service – the delivery of safe, clean water and dependable sewerage services. We are a corporation owned by the people of South Australia, and are committed to providing our 1.8 million customers with trusted water services that represent excellent value. We invest around $300 million a year in sustaining and enhancing our state-wide network, to ensure it continues to play an integral role in South Australia’s social and economic development.

“Please take all fishing line and rubbish home or place it in the tackle bins provided, and dispose of any carp or redfin responsibly rather than leaving them on the shoreline.

“By removing this food source for birds, and keeping your interactions with wildlife to a minimum, we can help keep nature behaving naturally and reduce the risk of birds getting snagged in fishing gear.”

A valid fishing permit is required to fish at Bundaleer, Happy Valley, Myponga, South Para, and Warren Reservoir Reserves, Aroona Dam, and Beetaloo reservoir reserves.

SA Water has PVC pipe fishing waste bins installed at its sites where fishing is permitted.

If you see an injured or distressed bird at one of our reservoirs, do not try to handle the animal, and call the nearest wildlife rescue organisation.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. Avoid contact, record what you see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia. See PIRSA’s website for more information.