Warning To People Found Flaunting Mud Crab Rules And Regulations

November 28, 2002

The Department of Primary Industries is urging people to be fully aware of crabbing regulations or face serious fines if they are caught breaching fisheries legislation.

In particular, anyone found removing or in possession of female mud crab claws will face heavy penalties.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol District Officer David Wilkinson, Noosa, said as the crabbing season drew nearer, a number of people in the region had already been caught with female mud crab claws.

He said taking and possessing female mud crabs was illegal but some people removed and kept the claws in an attempt to hide the crab’s sex.

“This is a pointless act because we can still identify whether a crab is female or not by its claws,” he said.

Mr Wilkinson said crabs often dropped their claws as a self-defence mechanism but if this happened, the claws still had to be thrown back in the water.

“In no circumstances should anyone be keeping female mud crab claws whether they have removed them deliberately or if they’ve come off accidentally,” he said.

Mr Wilkinson said people needed to be aware of the current crabbing regulations including the size and take and possession limits and crab pot rules.

“There is a take and possession limit of 10 male mud crabs and a minimum size limit of 15cm,” he said.

“People are also only allowed to use four crab pots. They need to be clearly marked with the owner’s name and address and the float must also have the owner’s name on it.”

However, Mr Wilkinson said it was still up to the individual to make sure they were fully aware of the current regulations.

“Rules are in place to protect and conserve mud crab stocks. By following the regulations these valuable fisheries resources will be around for current and future generations of Queenslanders,” he said.

For more information about fisheries rules and regulations, contact the Noosa patrol office on (07) 5449 7718, the Mooloolaba patrol office on (07) 5444 4599, or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.

Department of Primary Industries Media Unit
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Q 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)

Further information: David Wilkinson (07) 5449 7718
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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