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Queensland Government Press Release - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, February 27, 2017

Brisbane crabber fined for illegal catch

A recreational fisher who pleaded guilty to five crab-related offences including possessing undersized and female mud crabs has been fined $3,100 and ordered to forfeit his crabbing apparatus.

During sentencing in the Brisbane Magistrate’s Court, the magistrate referred to the fisher’s “greed and disregard for the future sustainability of crab stocks”.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol field officer Vaughan Heath said a number of offences were detected during an operation against unlawful crabbing in the Kedron Brook floodway.

“QBFP officers inspected the Brisbane fisher’s boat and found five female mud crabs which are a no-take species in Queensland, four undersized male mud crabs, 10 excess crab pots and unmarked fishing apparatus,” Mr Heath said.

“The crabber was found in possession of a further four undersized male mud crabs during a routine patrol around the Nudgee Boat Ramp a number of weeks later.”

Mr Heath said the court prosecution and penalty was a reminder to all fishers to follow Queensland’s rules and regulations for sustainable crab fishing.

“Being a responsible crabber means using the correct number of crab pots and dillies (no more than four per person), marking them correctly, and being able to identify your catch,” he said.

Under Fisheries regulations, penalties for crabbing-related offences include on-the-spot fines which range from $243 for undersized crabs and excess possession limits to $1,219 for interfering with crabbing apparatus. Maximum penalties can exceed $120,000.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol relies on the ongoing support of the community to help protect Queensland’s valuable fishing resources.