Public Urged To Steer Clear Of Unlicensed Seafood Sellers
10 October 2003

The Department of Primary Industries is urging people to buy seafood from only licensed venders to help stamp out this illegal activity.

The request follows an incident in which a woman was fined $700 plus $62.10 court costs in the Caboolture Magistrates Court for selling mud crabs without an authority.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district manager Steve Dunn said the woman had been selling crabs from the boot of her car at Bribe Island.

Mr Dunn said it was important that people bought their seafood only from licensed operators.

“Some people may think that buying a couple of mud crabs from someone’s boot is not a big deal but apart from being illegal, it can put fish stocks at risk,” he said.

“When you start to multiply these purchases, the number of crabs being illegally sold starts to increase considerably which will put pressure on stocks if it is not controlled.”

Mr Dunn said it was difficult to monitor non-registered vendors but the public could help by not supporting the practice.

“The public can play a role in helping to protect and conserve fish stocks by making a conscious effort to buy their seafood only from authorised operations,” he said.

Mr Dunn said as the crabbing season drew nearer, people should also 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, minimum size limit of 15cm, and taking females is totally prohibited,” 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.”

For more information about the new fishing rules and regulations visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or call the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.


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


Further information: Steve Dunn (07) 3860 3505
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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