3 men found guilty of undersize blue swimmer crab possession

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, January 31, 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 4.1cm and 5.5cm. The third man was found in possession of 30 prohibited size blue swimmer crabs measuring between 4.3cm and 5.3cm.”

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 6.0cm.