Calls for ban on use of live bait and squid jigs in the Port River dolphin sanctuary leaves anglers fearful

Dolphin sanctuary volunteers are calling for a ban on the use of live bait, squid jigs and heavy gauge fishing lines in the Port River sanctuary.

There are calls to ban the use of live bait, squid jigs and heavy gauge fishing line in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Pic: Marianna Boorman

A 500-signature petition calling for live bait, squid jigs and heavy gauge fishing line to be outlawed in Port Adelaide’s dolphin sanctuary has been presented to the State Government.

The volunteer group behind the petition is also calling for a ban on large hook sizes to being used in the sanctuary area and that no trawling be allowed inside the Angas or Barker inlets, Port River or inner Port.

The move has fishers up in arms, saying they are being unfairly targeted.

Dolphin sanctuary volunteer Jason Carls said in March he, along with another volunteer Jenni Wyrsta, detected one of the Port River’s resident dolphins named Twinkle with a part of his mandible missing, along with scratches along the top of his head, close to his blowhole.

A Port River dolphin captured and having fishing line removed in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Picture: Verity Gibbs

“After sending photos to be analysed by a marine mammal expert, the cause was deemed as highly likely to be caused by a squid jig,” Mr Carls said.

Mr Carls said there was another incident in 2019 when a dolphin named Star succumbed to injuries believed to be from gang hooks.

In the same year, a dolphin calf named Mimo had an entanglement around his mandible and had to be rescued to cut heavy line away from him, as well as release a large hook caught near his mouth.

“The use of gang hooks, squid jigs and heavy line is prevalent in the Adelaide dolphin sanctuary,” Mr Carls said.

“All volunteers, as well as dolphin lovers around the Port and beyond, are concerned for the welfare of the other 30 or so resident dolphins of the sanctuary and want to make it safer for them by putting safeguards in place to protect their future.

“We don’t want to stop fishing but there are many other fish species you can capture with a lighter line. We want people to continue with their hobby but to do it in a responsible way.”

Fellow volunteer Jenni Wyrsta said it was concerning to see how few dolphins had been in the area recently and it was vital to protect the populations in the sanctuary.

Twinkle, a Port River dolphin who was recently detected with some of his mandible missing. Picture: Jenni Wyrsta

“I’ve been travelling in the area for the past three years and usually there’s quite a few dolphins around but in the last few months it’s been very quiet,” she said.

SA Fishing Alliance chairman Graham Keegan believed fishers were unfairly bearing the brunt of other environmental factors affecting the Port River dolphins.

“Dolphins don’t tend to take live bait. If they are, I’d suggest it’s the problems with the (St Kilda) mangroves causing water issues in the area,” Mr Keegan said.

“There’s also issues with fur seals at Outer Harbor eating everything that’s coming through, so there’s some real environmental problems that need to be looked at. It’s not going to fix the problem by taking it out on anglers.”

Mr Keegan said at a time when more and more restrictions were being placed on fishers, this would be yet another blow.

“We’re losing access everywhere – to lose more access would definitely not be good,” he said.

“I think it would push anglers over the edge and there would be a mass revolt if these bans were brought in.”

A State Government spokesman said, while the government believed recreational fishing could and should be able to continue to occur in the sanctuary, it was important regulations were reviewed regularly to ensure adequate protection for the dolphins.