A recreational crabber has been fined $10,000 for possessing 67 unlawful mud crabs at Redcliffe, following a joint operation between Queensland Police Service and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) acting district officer, Vaughan Heath, said the heavy penalty handed down by the Redcliffe Magistrates Court sends a strong message to crabbers.
“QBFP, Queensland Police Service and other compliance agencies work together to enforce Queensland’s fishing rules,” Mr Heath said.
“During the early hours of the morning, a search of the man’s vehicle found two large bags containing a total of 71 crabs – 67 of which were illegal.
“Forty-eight were undersized male mud crabs and 19 were female mud crabs.
“Exceeding possession limits, ignoring size limits and taking protected species shows a blatant disregard for the sustainability of our fisheries.
“We feel this penalty sends a strong message to crabbers to stick to the limits and do the right thing.”
Mr Heath said the Redcliffe area was an important recreational and commercial fishing area and QBFP would continue to monitor the area at all times of the day and night.
“QBFP relies on the ongoing support of the community to provide relevant and timely information relating to potential offences concerning our valuable fishery resources,” he said.
“People who suspect illegal fishing activities are urged to report it as soon as possible to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116.
In Queensland, female mud crabs are no take species while male mud crabs have a size limit of 15 cm across the carapace, with a possession limit of 10 per person.
For more information on Queensland crabbing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from Apple and Google app stores.
A search of the man’s vehicle found two large bags containing a total of 71 crabs – 67 of which were illegal.
