By Tanya Steele
Two young kids were out adventuring in Cockatoo on the school holidays when they made a grim discovery in their local waterway.
Monday 20 January saw two friends discover what looked to be a homemade trap submerged in waters near the Mountain Road Reserve in Cockatoo and found two dead turtles inside.
“It wasn’t the best to see,” said young Jasper.
Jasper’s mother Sasha said her son and his friend sent her a photo when they found the animals.
“They had found this trap that has two dead turtles in it – they saw something in the water, and they pulled it out,” she said.
“They took the turtles out and went and put the trap in the bushes so that hopefully nobody else would get it, but they couldn’t carry it home, because they’re young.”
Jasper said that he and his mate Kai were walking around exploring and catching up on the school holidays.
“We were exploring, and then saw a trap there in the water, and thought that’s weird.”
Jasper said Kai retrieved the trap from the water and then the two realised the dead animals were inside.
Sasha posted the incident to her local social media notice board, which sent a shock through the community online.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik responded in the comments section on the noticeboard and to the Star Mail.
“I was very disappointed to see the turtles caught in what appeared to be an illegal trap,” he said.
“I hope the family and the young kids who discovered the trap are ok, it can be distressing to see animals harmed like that,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council’s General Manager for Infrastructure and Environment Peter Benazic said the council was saddened to hear about the incident and encouraged people to report to appropriate agencies.
“The discovery of traps and deceased animals can be distressing, particularly for young children in our community,” he said.
A Conservation Regulator spokesperson from the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA) said that two deceased Eastern Long-necked Turtles were reported after being discovered on Monday 20 January 2025, in a custom-built trap.
“In Victoria, it is illegal to use prohibited fishing equipment, such as commercial and opera house nets, in public waterways and penalties can apply,” they said.
“Illegally set nets and traps in Victorian waterways are a threat to native wildlife including turtles, platypus and rakali.”
“Air-breathing animals like turtles, platypus and rakali are vulnerable to unattended traps and nets due to their underwater foraging behaviour, unknowingly entering traps which prevent them from escape.”
Illegally hunting, harming or taking protected wildlife can result in fines of up to $9,879 or six months in prison and acts of cruelty causing death or serious injury to an animal can lead to fines of up to $98,795 or two years in prison.
Mr Benazic said recreational fishing is a popular pastime throughout the shire.
“Council currently allows fishing in Emerald Lake Park, Lakeside in Pakenham, Lilliput Lane in Pakenham Upper and Garfield Recreation Reserve dam,” he said.
“Fishing is prohibited in council-owned or managed waterways unless officially endorsed by council.”
All fishing is prohibited without a current licence, must follow Victorian guidelines and is required when fishing for any species of fish by any method, including line fishing, bait collection, gathering shellfish, and yabby fishing.
Mr Benazic said the council encourages the use of wildlife-friendly fishing equipment such as open-top lift nets and hoop nets for recreational yabby fishing, as does Victorian Fisheries.
“These nets benefit native wildlife such as turtles and platypus and are proven to be effective yabby catchers,” he said.
More information on recreational fishing can be found on the Victorian Fisheries Authority website at www.vfa.vic.gov.au or by getting a free Recreational Fishing Guide from a local tackle shop.
Mayor Kowarzik said if you come across any injured native animals, there’s an online tool from DEECA and Wildlife Victoria to help find the closest rescue organisations.
“If you find dead animals on Council land, please report it to our Customer Service team and our environmental officers will respond,” he said.
Anyone who suspects or sees illegal fishing, including the use of prohibited equipment, should call 13FISH (13 3474).
Public can report incidents of sick, injured, or orphaned native animals to Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Wildlife Emergency Response Service at (03) 8400 7300 or by filling out the online reporting form at www.wildlifevictoria.org.au.
For assistance with deceased animals on council roads and land, such as parks and reserves, members of the public can contact the council via phone at 1300 787 624 or email at mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
Anyone with information about this incident or other wildlife crimes can make a confidential report to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
