Warning for crab fishers
Thursday 8 February, 2007
PIRSA Fisheries has warned recreational fishers of the need to comply with fisheries legislation, particularly the rules that apply to crabbing.
Fisheries Officers responding to information provided to the 24-hour Fishwatch Telephone Hotline recently issued one group of four people with expiation notices (on-the-spot fines) totaling $2,400 for various crab related offences.
When stopped, the two females and one male from St Albans, Victoria and one male from Virginia, north of Adelaide, were found to be in possession of 330 undersized blue swimmer crabs and 59 female blue swimmer crabs carrying eggs (female crabs carrying eggs are fully protected in South Australia and must be returned to the water immediately.
PIRSA Manager Compliance Operations, Paul Tatarelli said that the actions of this group displayed a blatant disregard for the rules put in place to protect the long-term health of the State’s fish stocks.
“Were it not for extenuating circumstances, these people could have found themselves before the Courts, where the fines would have been substantially higher.
“Fisheries Officers will continue to be on the look-out for any illegal activity and will continue to patrol crabbing beaches across the State,” Mr Tatarelli said.
Information on the rules that apply to recreational fishing in South Australia is available free of charge by calling Fishwatch on 1800 065 522 or by visiting the PIRSA Fisheries web site at www.pir.sa.gov.au/fishing.
Blue swimmer crab rules – at a glance
- Daily bag limit – 40 (combined blue swimmer/sand crabs)
- Daily boat limit (three or more fishing from the boat) – 120 (combined blue swimmer/sand crabs)
- Size limit – 11 centimetres measured from side to side from the base of the largest spines
- Females carrying eggs – fully protected - must be returned to the water immediately
- Recreational catch – recreational fishers are not permitted to sell or trade their catch
