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Hefty fine reflects severity of crab crime
News release | 20 March, 2008
A Queensland man has been fined $7,500 for taking undersized and female mud crabs and interfering with other people's crab apparatus.
The Burdekin man pleaded guilty to five charges made against him, and received the hefty penalty as a cumulative fine for all offences.
District Officer for Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Ian Fricke, said the fine reflected the severity of the charges.
"A routine inspection of the man's vessel by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol found 35 mud crabs, of which 11 were females and 10 were found to be undersize crabs," said Mr Fricke.
"There were also three crab pots, a blue 50 litre ice box and a blue crab gauge.
"There is a take and possession limit of 10 male mud crabs and a minimum size limit of 15cm," he said.
Further enquiries by the department revealed the man did not own two of the crab pots.
Current regulations state that anyone unlawfully interfering with a fishing apparatus, or caught stealing crabs or crab pots may face prosecution.
"This prosecution highlights the importance of Queensland's rules and regulations and that we are committed to protecting and conserving Queensland's fish stocks for the future," Mr Fricke said.
"The DPI&F will continue to watch for anyone breaking the rules to ensure mud crab stocks are protected and conserved for future generations.
"Fishers need to observe Queensland's fishing regulations when they are out on the water and be aware of the consequences if they don't," he said.
Fishing rules and regulations for Queensland are available on the DPI&F website or by contacting the Business Information Centre.
Members of the public can report suspicious or unlawful fishing activities by contacting the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on +61 1800 017 116.
Media contact: Jennifer Deere, + 61 7 3225 1396
jennifer.deere@dpi.qld.gov.au
