Crab poachers cop it

Fisheries Officers at Lakes Entrance have allegedly caught four people from Melbourne with almost ten times the daily limit of sand crabs.

The two men and two women are expected to be charged on summons for allegedly exceeding the catch limit for crabs recently at Lakes Entrance. Following a call from a concerned member of the public the officers intercepted the group and seized a total of 1059 sand crabs.

The recreational catch limit for sand crabs is 30 crabs per person. Catch limits are individual and a person who has caught their own limit cannot contribute to another person’s catch.

In another incident, at Lakes Entrance a man and a women are expected to be charged on summons for allegedly exceeding the catch limit for crabs, fishing without a current recreational licence and using more than two hoop nets in marine waters.

They were found allegedly using a total of 15 hoop nets and in possession of 439 sand crabs. A person may only use two recreational hoop nets in marine waters.

Meanwhile, across the border in NSW,  40 year-old Port Macquarie man has been ordered to forfeit his boat, outboard motor and boat trailer after pleading guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of mud crabs earlier this month.

Acting Director Fisheries Compliance Pat Tully said Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers were conducting a surveillance operation of the Hastings River in March when they apprehended the man.

"Fisheries officers found 39 priority species mud crabs in the man's vessel, more than eight times the daily possession limit and considered a commercial quantity," Mr Tully said.

"The crabs were returned to the water alive and an application was made for the forfeiture of his fishing equipment, including his boat, which was successful.

Mr Tully said the conviction sends a strong message that illegal fishing in NSW will not be tolerated.

"The Hastings River is a Recreational Fishing Haven closed to commercial fishing methods and fisheries officers will continue to crack down on illegal crab catching," Mr Tully said.

"Fishers are reminded of the strict regulations and gear restrictions in place for crab catching, and that a bag limit of five mud crabs per person per day applies."

Recreational fishers are strongly encouraged to contact their local district fisheries office to find out the rules relating to recreational crabbing in their local area, as tough penalties apply for breaches of this legislation.

"Our State's aquatic environment is a community-owned resource and we all have a responsibility to protect and safeguard this natural asset," Mr Tully said.

More information is available on the DPI website.