By Maribyrnong River Wildlife Protection
For months, people walking along the Maribyrnong River watched a family of black swans raise their cygnets between Shepherd Bridge and Footscray Park. The swans became a familiar sight, grazing along the riverbanks and wetlands and reminding visitors that this stretch of river is more than a place for recreation, it is an important home for wildlife. Today, only one member of that family remains.
The deaths of three swans, followed by other fishing-related wildlife incidents, has prompted the formation of Maribyrnong River Wildlife Protection (MRWP), a community group bringing together local Friends groups and residents who share a common goal: protecting the river’s wildlife through education, evidence and practical solutions.
Of immediate concern are the deaths of three black swans from the same family group, which bred and raised their young in wetlands by the river late last year. One cygnet, entangled in fishing line and severely emaciated with a perforated eye, was euthanised on April 28; a second cygnet and an adult female swan were then euthanised 8 days apart, on May 19 and 27 respectively. Both had fishing hooks embedded in their legs and were lame from the resulting infection.
On June 15, a juvenile dusky moorhen was rescued by a community member, once again entangled in discarded fishing line. This bird was unable to be rehabilitated and was euthanised. On 4 July, a gull was observed with a hook and line attached to its neck. These tragedies are reminders that discarded fishing gear and unsafe fishing practices can have lasting consequences for native wildlife, causing injury or death.
The Victorian Government’s Little Angler Program provides free fishing kits to Grade 5 students across Victoria. The program aims to encourage children to take up fishing as an outdoor activity and increase participation in recreational fishing.
Across 2023 and 2024, the Victorian Government in collaboration with the Victorian Fisheries Authority distributed 95,000 Little Angler Kits to primary school students. A further 82,500 kits are expected to be distributed by September 2026 to approximately 1,800 Victorian schools, backed by a $1.5 million investment. Each kit includes a fishing rod, reel with line, tackle tray, hooks, sinkers, swivels, lures and a Kids’ Guide to Fishing.
While the Little Angler Kit provides instruction on fishing techniques, safety and fishing regulations, the accompanying guide does not appear to include specific written guidance on avoiding fishing near wildlife, responding to wildlife entanglements, retrieving lost fishing line and tackle, or the responsible disposal of fishing line, hooks and other fishing gear.
Given the documented increase in fishing-related wildlife injuries, expanding the program without embedding wildlife protection into its educational material is irresponsible. Wildlife-safe fishing practices, including maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, never casting near birds or other animals, retrieving lost tackle where safe, and using Seal the Loop bins or taking fishing gear home, should be fundamental components of every Little Angler Kit.
Until these deficiencies are addressed, Maribyrnong River Wildlife Protection believes the Little Angler Program should be suspended, and Maribyrnong Council agrees with us. A motion to suspend the Little Angler Program was unanimously carried at its last meeting.
Wildlife Victoria has reported a 158 per cent increase in wildlife cases involving discarded fishing line and hooks between 2023 and 2025, coinciding with the rollout of the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Little Angler Program. While this does not establish a causal relationship, the timing and available evidence raise significant concerns about expanding recreational fishing participation without ensuring wildlife protection is embedded in education.
To better understand what is happening locally, MRWP launched a community observation form. Residents and members of MRWP have documented discarded fishing line, hooks and tackle at dozens of locations, wildlife deaths and injuries linked to fishing gear, unattended fishing rods, fishing occurring close to wildlife and rubbish hotspots. The observations consistently identify several locations where fishing activity and wildlife frequently overlap, helping build an evidence base for practical solutions.
Maribyrnong City Council has begun installing Seal the Loop disposal bins at key locations with further installations planned. However, fishers also need clear education about disposing of fishing line, hooks and tackle responsibly, avoiding casting near wildlife, and retrieving lost fishing gear where safe to do so.
The Maribyrnong River, its wetlands and biodiversity corridors provide important habitat for native birds, fish and other aquatic wildlife. Protecting the river and its wildlife requires a coordinated response involving the Victorian Fisheries Authority, DEECA, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, adjoining councils, and fisher folk.
MRWP is collecting community data. You can get involved by submitting your observation when walking along the river: https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/x/OvQEiJ0L
