Illegal fishers caught in crab net
Friday 5 October, 2007
South Australian Fisheries officers successfully clamped down on illegal crabbing activities along northern Gulf St Vincent beaches during the fourth annual Operation Ellesmere held recently.
Uniformed patrols were deployed in the St Kilda, Port Gawler, Middle Beach, Thompsons Beach, Port Parham, Lower Light, Port Arthur, Port Clinton, Ardrossan, Pine Point, Port Vincent and Stansbury regions during key fishing times coinciding with low tides in September.
A total of 370 fishers had their catch checked for compliance with size and bag limit regulations. The devices used were checked and checks were also made on ensuring female crabs with eggs were not kept. A total of 2216 crabs were inspected during the operation, which ran from which ran from 14 September to 16 September.
Just over a quarter of crabs assessed by officers were undersized and 15% of crab fishers checked were found to have breached fisheries regulations. Equipment, including nets rakes and buckets, was seized during the operation.
Acting Manager Compliance Operations, PIRSA Fisheries, Gary Darter said the aim of Operation Ellesmere was two-fold.
“We are trying to ensure that exploitation of fish stocks along the northern beaches is in accordance with the rules by educating recreational fishers about their responsibilities, leading to voluntary compliance with the regulations," Mr Darter said.
"However, where appropriate, fisheries officers may use measures such as on-the-spot fines and prosecutions to deter fishers from any future breaches.
“It is important fishers recognise that to ensure we have crab stocks well into the future everyone must work towards doing the right thing.
"We encourage fishers to not only comply with regulations, but also actively report concerns through the 24-hour Fishwatch service, Freecall 1800 065 522. Only in this way can we sustain the resource for the generations to come.”
Fishers are reminded that Blue Swimmer Crabs may only be kept if the crabs are 11.0cm in carapace width (measured from the base of the largest spine, with daily bag limits of 40 Blue Swimmer Crabs per person per day in place. Female crabs carrying eggs are protected and must be returned to the water immediately.
“Operation Ellesmere demonstrates that we are serious about securing a viable fishing resource for the entire community to enjoy and that if fishers abuse that privilege they will be caught,” Mr Darter said.
