Using bait responsibly

Using bait responsibly helps protect Queensland’s waterways and reduces the risk of introducing and spreading marine pests and diseases.

Choose safe bait

It’s important to select the right fishing bait to safeguard our waterways and marine life.

Always choose to:

• purchase bait only from trusted suppliers or service stations
• check that bait is stored and handled correctly before using.

Avoid high-risk bait:

• never use raw supermarket prawns as bait, even if they are labelled as Australian
• do not use imported raw prawns or seafood as bait.

High-risk bait can carry harmful diseases that threaten local waterways and Queensland’s $210 million prawn-farming industry.

Catching your own

Catching your own bait is the safest option, especially when done near your fishing location:

• use a pump to catch yabbies
• catch pipis for bait.

Disposing correctly

Dispose of bait and seafood responsibly to protect marine ecosystems:

• always place unwanted bait and seafood in a rubbish bin
• never throw bait, scraps or seafood into waterways—even if they were caught in the same waterway.

Improper disposal can spread marine pests and diseases and attract unwanted predators.

White spot disease rules

Certain bait species in South East Queensland are subject to movement restrictions, due to white spot disease (WSD).

Restricted bait species

These bait species must not be moved out of the movement regulated area:

decapod crustaceans which include prawns and saltwater yabbies

marine worms which include bloodworms, beach worms or wriggler worms.

Cooking bait prawns

Restricted bait species must not be moved out of the movement regulated area unless cooked first.

Cook prawns by boiling them for 3.5–4.5 minutes, depending on size. Freezing does not kill the WSD virus.

Decontaminate vessels and equipment

If you are leaving the movement regulated area, you must decontaminate all fishing equipment and vessels to help prevent the spread of WSD.