Heavy Fine For Crab Offences
17 December 2003

The Department of Primary Industries says a heavy fine for breaking crabbing regulations is sending a timely warning this summer.

A man was fined $1500 plus $62.10 court costs in Cleveland Magistrates Court recently for having more than four crab pots in use and for interfering with other people’s crab pots.

Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officer Ben Kaesehagen said the fine should be a strong deterrent against breaking fisheries regulations.

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

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

“It is particularly important to be familiar with the different size and take and possession limits as well as measuring methods for the various crab species.”

These rules apply to following crab species:

• mud crab: size limit 15cm minimum; take and possession limit 10;
• blue swimmer crab: size limit 11.5cm minimum measured notch-notch; no take and possession limit;
• spanner crab: size limit 10cm minimum; take and possession limit 20.

Mr Kaesehagen said fisheries regulations were aimed at sustaining Queensland’s valuable fisheries resources.

“Rules are in place to protect and conserve 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 local QBFP office, call the DPI Call Centre of 13 25 23 or visit the DPI Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb.

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: Ben Kaesehagen (07) 3860 3573
Communications Officer: Liz Smith (07) 3224 7757

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