Community wants end to 'terrorising wildlife' at popular lake

There are growing concerns prohibited fishing in a culturally significant lake in Perth's western suburbs is killing the population of a protected turtle species, as one local councillor is calling for an end to a "scourge of animal abuse".Warning: This article contains images readers may find distressing.A community group committed to the sustainability of Galup Reserve, formerly Lake Monger, in Wembley, has reported an increase in sightings of turtles killed by fishing gear, and a decrease in turtle activity.The issue of illegal fishing at the lake was raised at Tuesday night's Town of Cambridge council meeting, with the town's administration telling the meeting fines weren't being enforced, despite existing "No Fishing" signs in key locations across the reserve.A dead turtle can be seen with a hook and fishing line in its head. (Supplied: Friends of Galup)Robyn Walsh from the community group Friends of Galup has told 102.5 ABC Perth she and other members had come across turtles killed by fishing wire and hooks."It's come to a bit of a head lately ... this poor turtle must've had a pretty vicious death, there was some really strong cut marks under its legs," Ms Walsh said.Robyn Walsh suspects some of the turtles were subject to vicious deaths. (Supplied: Friends of Galup)"The last three years, the visible signs of turtles have decreased considerably."Ecosystem concernsMs Walsh said community members had seen groups of young people fishing in the area, despite the signs saying it was prohibited.Concerned locals have tried to speak to warn them of the harm they were doing to the environment, according to Ms Walsh.Some locals are reporting an increase in turtles found dead. (Supplied: Friends of Galup)"Some of them nod 'yes' and stay on doing it, some of them say 'oh I didn't know' and walk away, and some just tell you to 'F... off' and get quite abusive," she said."People think that they should be able to, and they don't understand that they can't, and they ignore any comments if you see them."Pelicans and other birds are a more common sight at the lake than turtles. (ABC News: Kenith Png)Ms Walsh says educating the public about the damage fishing could do to the lake's ecosystem needed to be a priority, ahead of enforcing penalties.Despite the signs saying it is prohibited and councillors raising the issue of "illegal fishing", fishing at Galup does not constitute an offence under the town's laws, according to its administration.The administration said the town was undertaking a project with Traditional Owners to develop signage highlighting the cultural and environmental significance of Galup, which could include information about risks posed to birds and other wildlife from fishing hooks, lines and discarded tackle as a "non-regulatory" response.At Tuesday night's meeting, the council requested the town's chief executive investigate whether educational information about the environmental impacts of fishing could be incorporated into the signage.During the meeting, councillor Xavier Carr spoke of the urgent need to address the harm being caused to wildlife in the area."I've witnessed with my own eyes teenagers terrorising the wildlife there, and some really horrible things to see," he said."It's obvious that the town needs to use every tool in its toolbox and pull every lever."We need to be outcomes focused on trying to stop this scourge of animal abuse in the town."Cr Carr said the town needed to do everything in its power to put a stop to the animal deaths.Galup is located 4 kilometres away from the Perth CBD and is considered a popular tourist destination. (ABC News: Kenith Png)"I don't attribute any mean motive to some of these people, I don't insinuate that they're deliberately harming wildlife," he said."But unfortunately all too often what happens is through the actions of some of these fishing, wildlife is harmed in our town, and it's really traumatic for passers-by to see."Fellow councillor Brett Heil called for an approach focused more on deterrent and punishment, than education."Without enforcement, effectiveness is limited," he said."Some of these young people are filming and posting to social media with hashtags [saying] illegal fishing, using it as social currency."If the pay-off is peer status, a printed warning sign won't fix it."