One of at least two that are at Hyde park as a result of Atlantic Seafood Market in Northbridge selling live eels and Buddhists practicing Life Release not understanding the ecological impact.

A 2015 study on the turtle population conducted by UWA accidentally trapped one in the nets they had set up to catch the turtles for a population count. No successful recruitment has been noted at Hyde Park in over 15 years, with the city of Vincent willing to spend $5000 on a 2022 study again by UWA but unwilling to address the probable predation of turtle hatchlings by these eels. We know eggs are hatching, I’ve assisted numerous hatchlings in making it to the water since 2018, and it has taken me over 5 months to gain evidence of the eels, yet the city of Vincent says it’s a job for the department of fisheries, who say it’s not their job at all. Extremely frustrating.

I have also included an image of the much smaller/younger eels in the fish market, which the owner at first tried to tell me they were shut to deny my entry until a group of regular customers started speaking to him in a different language and I was able to sneak in and get the photo before he kicked me out. I am in no way anti-Buddhist or any religion, but I do believe the sale of exotic animals for the purpose of food should be illegal. How is it justified when it’s illegal to trade any live animal native to another state or territory as a pet? Fucking ridiculous.