by Carla Caruso

Hobbyists have been hunting for trash and treasure in the waters of the Adelaide Park Lands.

‘Magnet fishing’ involves using a rope, with a strong magnet attached, to pull items to the surface. YouTubers like Outdoors Weekly have increased interest in the hobby.

Adam Gee, 26, behind online store, Magnet Fishing Australians, says “it has the same type of draw that metal detecting or fishing has. When you get something, you get really excited.” He often does it while kayaking.

Among his online community, members have found everything from trolleys to motorcycles, bikes, old fishing gear, safes (mostly empty), firearms – and even meteorites.

“In some states, you have to hand [the meteorites] over to the universities,” Adam says. “In other states, you can sell them, and they’ve got a fair value to them … It’s a specialty really. You need to know how to tell the difference between a meteorite and an iron rock.

While Adam says “there’s nothing legislated in any state or territory” against the sport yet here, it has been banned in France. “Europe is different because they had two World Wars. A lot of things were leftover that people should not be able to find … In World War One, there was a lot of gas weapons in France.”

Still, a City of Adelaide spokesperson told us hobbyists do need to seek “permission to undertake this activity via email or [calling the] Customer Centre on (08) 8203 7203. The requestor will need to expand on their intent of the activity and equipment used.”

If given permission – either verbal or written – these conditions must be met:

• Items of heritage significance must be surrendered to the City of Adelaide

• Guns/swords/knives/weapons must be surrendered to SAPOL

• Rubbish must be disposed in City of Adelaide bins appropriately

• Large items (e.g. scooters, bikes or signs) can be left in a nearby tree/pole, and the Customer Centre must be alerted to arrange for pick up

• The activity must not be harmful to any wildlife, or negatively affect or influence other park users

• No parking on the Park Lands except in dedicated car parking spaces.

Sebastian Elsby, 7, was out magnet fishing with his twin, Alessio, in Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka (Park 14) last week. On the sport, he said: “It’s fun. It’s also good because you’re getting things out of the water that ducks and fish might swallow.”

Carp fishing

Meanwhile, those wishing to fish for carp and other non-native fish do not need to seek permission from the City of Adelaide. This is provided sensible, responsible practices are used, such as not leaving the fish on the riverbanks, using boats, or eating the fish as they may be contaminated.

These conditions apply to the Torrens River/Karrawirra Pari, between Hackney Road and Port Road, and other bodies of water in the City of Adelaide. Fishing on the Popeye landings in Elder Park and near the Adelaide Zoo is prohibited.