Illegal fishing crackdown helps to ensure future of green mud crab in Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area

A crackdown on illegal fishing in sensitive habitat areas is getting results, helping to ensure stocks of green mud crabs remain secure. Three people from Carnarvon have recently been penalised more than $23,000 in total in a local court for fishing offences related to green mud crabs taken from the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area of Crab Creek on August 6 last year. Two men, aged 37 and 60, pleaded guilty to exceeding the daily bag limit of five, and boat possession limit of 10 green mud crabs by a total of 18, including eight that were under the minimum size of 150mm. That is based on the size of maturity of the species imposed to support recruitment of the next generation of mud crabs. Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development saw the offenders trying to hide the bag containing the excess mud crabs on land at One Tree Point before their vessel was inspected. The 37-year-old master of the vessel was ordered by the court to forfeit his boat, trailer and mud crab drop nets, and was fined $8800. The 60-year-old was fined $4520 for his part. In another matter heard by the court, Fisheries officers recovered four concealed bags at One Tree Point containing 30 green mud crabs in excess of the bag and possession limit, with 18 crabs under the 150mm size limit. A 40-year-old Carnarvon man pleaded guilty to the offence and was penalised a total of $10,760. All three offenders were prohibited from entering any coastal waters from the Gascoyne River to the northern boundary of the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area, and had their recreational fishing licenses suspended for a year. DPIRD acting director regional compliance Mid West-Gascoyne Matt Clarke said green mud crabs were at high risk and the sustainability of future stock was threatened by illegal fishing activities in the area. “In sensitive areas such as the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area, all fishers must clearly understand and follow the rules or risk significant fines, forfeitures of fishing gear and vessels, and — as we have seen in these cases — also lose their fishing privileges,” he said. “It is particularly concerning to see the deliberate measures taken in an attempt to conceal catches and evade bag and size limits. “Our officers will continue their focus on surveillance and patrols in these areas, and offenders are on notice.” Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity should call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or report the matter via the online form at crimestopperswa.com.au.