RECREATIONAL fishers throughout NSW can swap their old and unwanted ‘opera house’ yabby traps for an Oar-Gee Plow lure at upcoming events across the state to support sustainable fishing practices.

Opera house traps are now illegal.

The popularity of yabby fishing has put pressure on native wildlife which can unwittingly get caught inside opera house traps.

Open-top pyramid and hoop nets are a more environmentally-friendly design, allowing non-target species to escape.

Recreational fisherman with old opera house traps lying about can swap them for lures at Wauchope on August 4-6 at the Mid North Coast Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish & Boat Show.