THE catching of native fish in Perth wetlands has been suspended after more than 10 long-necked tortoises drowned in Department of Fisheries nets at Lake Goollelal last month.

Department of Fisheries principal research scientist Craig Lawrence said the nets were placed to survey the populations of threatened native fish, Perth Now reports.

“I am saddened and sorry that our recent research work, to check on freshwater fish species at Lake Goollelal, has resulted in the deaths of a number of long-necked tortoises,” he said.

“Similar nets to the ones which caused the deaths of the tortoises are used by university and government researchers in WA, Australia and internationally.”

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