Reality TV stars stung for illegal fishing
Differences in state and territory laws highlighted after salvage crew is filmed catching, cooking crabsA TV reality show that broadcast footage of its stars catching and cooking female mud crabs at Airlie Beach has copped a $756 fine for breaching Queensland’s recreational fishing rules.
A recent episode of the Seven Network’s Aussie Salvage Squad, featuring Busselton, Western Australia-based salvage specialists Geographe Marine Salvage and Rescue, showed one of the crew members using an unregistered crab pot to catch female mud crabs at Airlie Beach, which were later cooked up and fed to the crew.
Fisheries Queensland took punitive action against the crew after the TV show’s viewers contacted the department to complain about the breach.
Under Queensland’s recreational fishing laws, it is illegal to take female mud crabs. However, under WA’s laws, mud crabs are regulated by size, bag and boat limits.
After interviewing the team, Fisheries Queensland issued one of the crew’s members with infringements for using an unmarked crab pot, and taking or possessing female mud crabs, carrying a total fine of $756.
Another crew member was handed a caution for their role in helping to catch the mud crabs.
A post on the Geographe Marine Salvage and Rescue Facebook page simply said: “Justice has been served.”
While handing out the fine, Fisheries Queensland praised Geographe Marine Salvage and Rescue for admitting the mistake.
“The organisation cooperated fully and crew members were very apologetic as they were not aware of the different fishing rules in Queensland,” it said.
“They have assured us that next time they visit they will make sure they brush up on the recreational fishing rules and regulations. Thank you to everyone who supplied information and assisted the investigation.”
The reality TV show, which aired last year, was based around the Whitsundays in the wake of extensive damage created by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, which struck the region in 2017.
The series followed the crew as it helped cyclone victims salvage belongings lost in the storms.
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