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Rain couldn’t keep Cassowary Coast anglers away, with hundreds braving the wet to cast a line and help tackle one of the region’s biggest environmental pests.
The 2026 Tilapia Tournament at Warrina Lakes attracted 444 participants across three days, who collectively hauled in an impressive 2,163 invasive tilapia.
With families, visitors and fishing enthusiasts all getting involved, the annual event proved that doing your bit for local waterways can come with plenty of fun, friendly competition and even a few bragging rights.
Rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm at Warrina Lakes, with hundreds of anglers casting a line for a good cause during Cassowary Coast Regional Council’s 2026 Tilapia Tournament.
Across three days, 444 participants removed an impressive 2,163 tilapia, with local families and visitors joining in the annual event.
Tilapia are highly invasive pest fish that reproduce rapidly, compete with native species for food and habitat and can damage aquatic ecosystems, making their removal important to the health of local waterways.
Councillor Jeff Baines described the weekend as a fantastic community effort.
“It’s the world’s greatest Tilapia Tournament,” Cr Baines said. “It was an outstanding event and a great effort from everyone involved to help us reduce this noxious fish in our waterways and improve the health of our creeks and rivers.”
With 2,163 fewer tilapia in Warrina Lakes, this year’s tournament delivered a result worth celebrating, while generous sponsor prizes rewarded anglers for catches including the most fish and largest tilapia.
Photos supplied: Cassowary Coast Regional Council
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