Holidaymakers warned of crackdown on illegal crabbing
Fishing authorities are using drones and covert surveillance to nab crab thievesNamed after the latin name for blue swimmer crab, Operation Portunus is now underway in NSW to raise awareness of the rules and regulations when fishing for crabs in coastal waters.
Fisheries compliance officers will be targeting illegal crabbing in an effort to increase sustainable crab fishing practices. Time to refresh your knowledge of the rules.
In the past year, more than 1300 illegal crab traps (and hoop nets) have been seized from the NSW coastal estuaries. Authorities are now using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and new high tech night vision equipment to catch crab thieves, help deter offenders and detect offences.
Some common examples of illegal crabbing include:
>> Failure to mark gear correctly
>> Using traps that don’t comply with the regulations
>> Using too many traps
>> Traps set in waters where prohibited
Fisheries Officers will also be on the lookout for fishers raiding other people’s traps — if it’s not yours, don’t touch it. And if you do interfere with other people's traps, well, the price could well be a bunch of fives.
NSW DPI says it will also be checking illegal prawning activity these holidays. You need a fishing licence to catch crabs and prawns in NSW waters.
For information on rules and regulations pertaining to crab fishing in coastal waters see NSW Fishing Rules and Regulations.
You can report illegal fishing activity in NSW by calling 1800 043 536.
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