PLASTIC bait bands, used to secure cartons of bulk bait, have been banned by the Department of Fisheries.

Uncut bands pose a deadly threat to marine life who become entangled in the plastic washed, dumped or blown overboard.

Department of Fisheries’ Senior Management Officer Graeme Baudains said anyone caught with the bands on recreational or commercial fishing vessels in WA waters would be hit with a $2000 fine.

“Sea lions, seals and sharks are particularly susceptible to injury or death through entanglement in uncut plastic straps,” Mr Baudains said.

“Cut and uncut bait bands also contribute to plastic debris washed up on shorelines.”

Mr Baudains said the regulations allowed for some tightly managed exceptions for carrier boats and tender dinghies operating in the West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery and rock lobster vessels transporting bait from carrier boats to their home islands in the Abrolhos.