Fish elsewhere, protect our urban wetlands
If you see fishing or other activities negatively impacting wildlife, please report it to the City.
The City of Stirling is urging residents and visitors to avoid fishing in urban wetlands to protect local wildlife and maintain wetland health. Reports of littering and wildlife injuries have highlighted the dangers fishing poses to species such as snake-necked turtles and waterbirds.
Fishing-related debris, including discarded lines and hooks, can injure or kill native animals. Feeding ducks and other wildlife human food, may seem harmless, but it can cause serious health issues, including malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, and kidney failure. It also negatively impacts the broader ecosystem by reducing water quality and increasing the spread of invasive species.
Botulism, a disease caused by naturally occurring bacteria, thrives in wetlands with excess nutrients from food waste. Native wildlife species are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, making it illegal to harm or feed them. The City strongly recommends choosing alternative fishing locations to prevent unnecessary harm.
Releasing aquarium or pond fish into wetlands is another major environmental threat. Species like Koi Carp, native to central Asia, degrade aquatic ecosystems by disturbing sediment and competing with native species for food. Keeping invasive fish out of our wetlands is essential for maintaining healthy waterways.
The City runs a Feral Pest Management Program to control invasive species and protect wetland ecosystems. To learn more about native animals and wildlife issues, visit stirling.wa.gov.au/protectwildlife.
If you see fishing or other activities negatively impacting wildlife, please report it to the City at stirling.wa.gov.au/enquiries.
