A Bundaberg man has been fined $20,000 for the unlawful sale and trafficking of mud crabs.
He has also had his fishing equipment forfeited, after he was found to be in possession of 14 female mud crabs and multiple undersized crabs.
It comes as Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers have recorded more than $61,100 in major penalties and prosecutions found guilty in court for mud crab offences, in under 7 months.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Deputy Director-General Fisheries and Forestry Pauline Jacob says the recruitment of 10 additional QBFP officers in July had further strengthened patrol capability across the state.
“Whether it’s interfering with crab pots, taking undersized or female crabs or engaging in unlawful trade, no offence goes unnoticed and our staff are ready to take action.
“The message is simple, and the consequences are real – if you lift someone else’s pots or take crabs outside the rules, you will be caught and face serious penalties.
“Follow the rules or risk losing your boat, your gear and a lot of money.
“Queenslanders value their seafood and sustainable fisheries.
“These laws are in place to protect that resource for everyone and ensure all anglers have a positive experience on the water.”
In July, a Cairns fisher was fined $12,000 and had his boat seized and destroyed after being caught interfering with crab pots that weren’t his.
In September, a fisher in Ayr was fined $1,500 for obstructing officers and failing to properly mark crab pots.
In October, QBFP officers in the Airlie Beach district issued 5 infringement notices over a 6-week period for unlawful interference with crab fishing apparatus, totalling $8,065 in fines.
Also in October, a Brisbane fisher was fined $12,000 and had his boat and trailer forfeited after being caught with 7 female mud crabs and 27 undersize mud crabs near Beenleigh.
Together, these results demonstrate QBFP’s strong investigative focus in detecting and prosecuting serious fisheries offences, and their ongoing commitment to protecting Queensland’s fisheries.
To avoid breaking the law accidentally, Queenslanders are being urged to brush up on Queensland’s recreational fishing rules.
