The event faced potential cancellation in November this year following a community complaint to the council about Fisherama causing turtle deaths from fishing hooks.

The council’s general manager, Peter Thompson, said they expressed to South Wagga Apex Club, the event organisers, that they supported the event.

“However, we also expressed that we have a responsibility to ensure adequate protection for a protected species,” Mr Thompson said.

The turtle species in the lagoon is the Eastern long-necked turtle, which is protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

The solutions relate to the hooks used and an awareness program.

This includes ensuring that participants who use barbed hooks to make them barbless by pressing down on them.

As well, flyers about the method would be handed out to participants at the event.

“Also to have nominated members of the club moving around the people who are competing to ensure that no one is doing the wrong thing in relation to the turtles,” Mr Thompson said.

The event has been running for more than 20 years and draws in hundreds of anglers of all ages every year.

“We’re working closely with the club – it’s an important event for the club and it’s a good venue for it,” Mr Thompson said.

Asked about timeframe, Mr Thompson said “there’s no question it will go ahead”.

“The only thing is working with them [club] on the safety measures,” he said.

Mr Thompson said he did not know the approximate number of turtle deaths alleged in the complaint.

A South Wagga Apex Club spokesperson said “we have the green light”.

The president has been contacted for more comments.

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