DAFF on the ball, Some stiff fines issued.

[rayke1938]

More than $13,000 worth of fines were recently issued to recreational fishers for crabbing offences in two separate cases in south east Queensland.

The offences were confirmed with the help of reports from the local community.

A fisher was charged $5000 for possession of 11 mud crabs over the bag limit in the Pumicestone Passage on the Sunshine Coast, while another two fishers were fined a total of $8500 for possession of 18 undersize and 12 female mud crabs taken from the Elliott River near Bundaberg.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol Bundaberg district officer Geoff Fergusson highlighted the importance of fishers knowing the rules around crabbing.

"It's extremely important for recreational fishers to abide by the crabbing rules. If caught doing the wrong thing they will be fined," he said.

"All female mud crabs have been protected in Queensland since 1914, and the current size limit for male mud crabs has been in force since 1957.

"These restrictions have remained in place for this long to ensure the sustainability of the species, which is vulnerable to overfishing given its iconic status in Queensland."

Mr Fergusson said in order to keep crabbing as one of Queensland´s greatest pastimes, fishers needed to act responsibly.

"Being a responsible crabber means using the right number of pots or dillies (four per person); marking them correctly, and being able to identify males from females," he said.

"Every crabber should have a crab gauge to measure male crabs to ensure they are legal size, and release any female or undersize crabs immediately to the water before proceeding to check their next pot or dilly.

"If you are fishing or crabbing and are unsure of the identity, size or bag limit, a good general rule is ´if in doubt, throw it out´. It sure beats getting a fine."

The recreational size limit for mud crabs is 15cm across the carapace with a bag limit of 10 per person.

The Queensland Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide contains all the fishing rules and is readily available online at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.

To report suspected illegal fishing, call the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116 .

Cheers

Ray

[Binder]

Gezus, I reckon they missed the boat with that bloke who got pinched for 11 crabs over the limit in Pumicestone passage.

The only way he would have had that many crabs on board there would be if he had raided every pot in the passage!

[livaio]

That is some expensive crab from the wallet.. At least the fishery are doing their jobs.