Three men found guilty of possessing a large amount of prohibited size blue swimmer crabs

21 Sep 2017

Three Auburn men recently appeared before Parramatta Local Court, where they pleaded guilty of possessing more than the limit and possessing prohibited size blue swimmer crabs, which were taken from Lake Wollumboola on the NSW South Coast.

Each man was fined $3,000 and ordered to pay professional costs of $500.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully said on Sunday, 31 January 2016 Fisheries Officers responded to information provided by the public to the Fishers Watch hotline concerning the illegal take of a large amount of prohibited size blue swimmer crabs.

“The three men were stopped by Fisheries Officers as they entered their vehicle after placing three large buckets of blue swimmer crabs into the rear boot area,” Mr Tully said.

“A father and son were found in joint possession of 103 prohibited size blue swimmer crabs, measuring between 4.1 cm and 5.5 cm.

“The third man was found in possession of 30 prohibited size blue swimmer crabs measuring between 4.3 cm and 5.3 cm.”

Recreational fishers must not take more than 10 blue swimmer crabs per day or possess more than 20 blue swimmer crabs at any time.

Crab measurers are provided free of charge by NSW DPI and are available at all coastal fisheries offices. The minimum legal size limit for blue swimmer crabs is 6 cm.

“The coastal estuarine waters on the NSW south coast can produce large stocks of blue swimmer crabs, which attract an increased number of fishers during the summer period.

“Fisheries Officers will continue to regularly patrol Lake Wollumboola and other coastal estuarine waters to detect and deter illegal fishing activities this summer.”

Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported to the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.

For more information please visit the NSW DPI website.

Media contact: Jamie Jones (02) 6391 3686