Carnavon fishers fined over $6,800 for crab catching in protected area
Two Carnarvon men (aged 46 and 50) have been penalised more than $6,800 and forfeited a vessel and fishing equipment after taking undersized green mud crabs from the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area, the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said on Thursday, December 19.
The first offence occurred on March 29 earlier this year with the younger man found by DPIRD Fisheries officers at Bush Bay to be in possession of an undersized goldspotted rockcod and fishing gear used in waters where the gear was prohibited.
Two days later, Fisheries officers observed the two offenders fishing in the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area, before cooking green mud crabs over a fire. Some of the mud crabs were found to be under the minimum legal size of 150 mm.
In Carnarvon Court on Monday, December 16, the 46-year-old Carnarvon man was fined $4,600 for three offences, with an additional mandatory penalty of $660 plus costs of $300.50.
The 50-year-old man was ordered to pay a total of $1,290 and forfeited his vessel, trailer, and fishing equipment.
The two men have also been 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. Their recreational fishing licenses have been suspended for periods of 12 and six months, respectively.
The Magistrate considered scientific advice that green mud crabs were at high risk of resource depletion due to ongoing illegal intensive fishing activity, and the taking of undersize male and female crabs was reducing the reproductive potential of the stock.
Director Regional Compliance Midwest Mick Kelly said DPIRD was increasingly seeking orders for offenders to lose licences to fish or lose access to areas where they committed serious fishing offences.
"In sensitive areas such as Fish Habitat Protection Areas, fishers need to be well aware of the rules or risk losing their fishing privileges," said Mr Kelly.
"The rules related to recreational fishing can be accessed on the DPIRD website, or by searching the rules by species and location. There is also a special publication available on the Miaboolya Fish Habitat Protection Area."
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity should call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 or report the matter via the online form on Crimestoppers.
