Three penguins have been rescued from a commercial fishing net less than a fortnight after 30 dead penguins washed up on Altona beach after being drowned in a similar net.
The discovery has sparked more calls for mesh nets to be banned in Port Phillip Bay.
Earthcare St Kilda’s Zoe Hogg said the three penguins were rescued by volunteers at St Kilda on August 31.
“They just picked them up on the breakwater,” she said.
“They were OK but were taken to the vet. They’re healing all right now, but they were definitely net-scarred.”
As reported by Star Weekly, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) said no action would be taken against a commercial fisherman who dumped about 30 penguins that had been trapped in his net because it was an “accident”.
The penguins washed ashore at Altona beach on August 20.
The RSPCA said when it was a legally sanctioned activity, like fishing, it was up to the lead investigation agency to determine if there was negligence or malice and decide if an offence had been committed.
RSPCA executive manager of animal services Helen Cocks said she supported a joint approach to prevent such “accidents”.
“We are saddened by the recent death of a number of little penguins and we understand that DEPI has undertaken an investigation into this matter,” she said.
“It is important for everyone to remember that wherever our activities have the potential to impact wildlife, whether directly or indirectly, we are responsible for ensuring our activities don’t cause injury, suffering or distress to animals.
“We support a joint approach between DEPI and the fishing industry to prevent similar incidents occurring, to ensure our native wildlife and fisheries are protected.”
Friends of Corio Bay Action Group president Ivan Bereza said all forms of commercial netting should be banned in Port Phillip Bay, except for purse seining of targeted pilchards and anchovies.
The group hopes to collect 20,000 signatures on a petition and stage a rally at State Parliament before November’s election.
“South Australia has a ban on netting in all bays, inlets and estuaries and also has a viable hook and line commercial bay fishery,’’ Mr Bereza said.
“The public must be made aware of what really goes on.
‘‘Most netting is conducted at night and killing of wildlife goes unreported and hidden under the water.”
