A crack down on illegal fishing in the sensitive Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area is getting results and helping to ensure future stocks of green mud crabs.
Three offenders from Carnarvon were recently penalised more than $23,000 in Carnarvon Court for fishing offences related to green mud crabs taken from Crab Creek within the protection area on 6 August last year.
Two men aged 37 and 60 pleaded guilty to exceeding the daily bag and boat possession limits for green mud crabs by 18, including eight that were under the minimum legal size of 150mm.
The daily bag limit is five mud crabs with a boat limit of 10. The 150mm size limit is based on the size at sexual maturity for the species to support recruitment of the next generation.
Fisheries officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development witnessed the offenders attempting to hide a 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 to forfeit his vessel, motor, trailer and crab drop nets and penalised $8880 including costs. His 60-year-old counterpart was fined $4520.
In another matter heard by the Court, a 40-year-old Carnarvon man pleaded guilty to exceeding the daily bag and boat limit for green mud crabs and being in possession of undersize crabs.
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 under the minimum size. He was penalised a total of $10,760 including costs.
All three men were also prohibited from entering any coastal waters or creek systems from the Gascoyne River to the northern boundary of the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area for 12 months and had their recreational fishing licences suspended for 12 months.
Acting Director Regional Compliance Midwest - Gascoyne Matt Clarke said green mud crabs were at high risk due to illegal fishing activity which threatened stock sustainability 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,” Mr Clarke 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 on Crimestoppers.
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