Ms Lonergan says air breathing mammals such as platypus and water rats, and amphibians such as tortoise, are attracted to yabby traps by yabbies and shrimp feeding on the bait used.

Ms Lonergan said platypus commonly live in the rivers, streams and lakes of eastern Australia, from the Annan River in northern Queensland to far-south Victoria and Tasmania.

They are found in the major permanent river systems in the south of NSW, west of the Great Dividing Range, and occasionally in South Australia.

“Like other native animals, platypus and water rats are protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act,” she said.

Ms Lonergan said the only legal method for taking yabbies or Murray Crayfish, during the Murray Crayfish season is by hoop or lift net.

“The nets should be marked either at or above the waterline with a tag with the person’s name and residential address or boat registration number,” she said.

All traps and nets are illegal in notified trout waters except for the use of hoop or lift nets in Lake Eucumbene and Lake Jindabyne.

For further information on fishing regulations please contact Department of Primary Industries on 1300 550 474. For further information on native animals please contact Department of Environment and Climate Change 1300 361 967 or the web site http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au /