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14 crab crooks cop fines in Mandurah Court
Date: Thursday, 7 May 2009
Crab fishing offenders, who abused the sustainability rules protecting Mandurah’s iconic fishery, have been punished with heavy fines.
In Mandurah Court, yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2009), 14 people were ordered to pay between $1094 and $3354 for being in possession of large numbers of undersize crabs.
The minimum legal size limit for blue swimmer crabs is 127mm across the widest part of the shell and the rules have been set to protect the sustainability of the crab fishery.
Amongst the other rules that apply, there is a bag limit of 10 blue swimmer crabs per fisher per day and a daily boat limit of 20 per boat when two or more people are on the vessel.
South Metropolitan Region Compliance Manager John Breeden said the people that were dealt with in the Mandurah Court had been found in possession of between 24 and 137 crabs that were undersize. All of the offenders had exceeded the bag limit restrictions too.
“The worst offenders were three people fined $3354.20 each for being in possession of 137 undersize crabs,” Mr Breeden said.
“Another offender was fined $2794.20 and ordered to forfeit two scoop nets and a 20 litre bucket for being in possession of 109 undersize crabs.”
Mr Breeden said one other offender was also guilty of possessing 109 undersize crabs; three more were fined for possessing 102 undersize crabs. Another had 93 undersize crabs and a further five were in possession of between 24 and 64 undersize crabs.
“All of these offenders,” said Mr Breeden, “have been greedy and unthinking about the impact of their actions on the fishery.
“I’m pleased that our Fisheries and Marine Officers in Mandurah have been able to secure these prosecutions as a warning to other people who might consider breaking the rules.
“My advice is that they don’t risk it, because lots of people are watching and we get significant support from members of the Mandurah community, who want their iconic fishery to remain sustainable and who regularly report illegal fishing activity to our 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 815 507.”
Crab fishers should ensure they always have an accurate gauge and also count their catch as they fish. More details of all the rules that apply for crab fishing and other WA fisheries is available on the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.
In Mandurah Court, yesterday (Wednesday 6 May 2009), 14 people were ordered to pay between $1094 and $3354 for being in possession of large numbers of undersize crabs.
The minimum legal size limit for blue swimmer crabs is 127mm across the widest part of the shell and the rules have been set to protect the sustainability of the crab fishery.
Amongst the other rules that apply, there is a bag limit of 10 blue swimmer crabs per fisher per day and a daily boat limit of 20 per boat when two or more people are on the vessel.
South Metropolitan Region Compliance Manager John Breeden said the people that were dealt with in the Mandurah Court had been found in possession of between 24 and 137 crabs that were undersize. All of the offenders had exceeded the bag limit restrictions too.
“The worst offenders were three people fined $3354.20 each for being in possession of 137 undersize crabs,” Mr Breeden said.
“Another offender was fined $2794.20 and ordered to forfeit two scoop nets and a 20 litre bucket for being in possession of 109 undersize crabs.”
Mr Breeden said one other offender was also guilty of possessing 109 undersize crabs; three more were fined for possessing 102 undersize crabs. Another had 93 undersize crabs and a further five were in possession of between 24 and 64 undersize crabs.
“All of these offenders,” said Mr Breeden, “have been greedy and unthinking about the impact of their actions on the fishery.
“I’m pleased that our Fisheries and Marine Officers in Mandurah have been able to secure these prosecutions as a warning to other people who might consider breaking the rules.
“My advice is that they don’t risk it, because lots of people are watching and we get significant support from members of the Mandurah community, who want their iconic fishery to remain sustainable and who regularly report illegal fishing activity to our 24 hour FISHWATCH number on 1800 815 507.”
Crab fishers should ensure they always have an accurate gauge and also count their catch as they fish. More details of all the rules that apply for crab fishing and other WA fisheries is available on the Department of Fisheries website at www.fish.wa.gov.au.
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