Catch of 35 undersize crabs attracts $3,750 court bill in Mandurah

A magistrate has warned a 33-year-old Safety Bay man in Mandurah Court this week that, if he ever decided to fish for crabs again, he must measure them immediately.

The man was caught out by Fisheries officers from the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) when he came ashore with undersize crabs from the Peel Harvey Estuary late Sunday afternoon on February 12 this year.

The officers inspected his bucket and found 35 undersize blue swimmer crabs ranging in size from 79.2 mm to 118.9 mm, with an average size of 96.9 mm.

Blue swimmer crabs that are smaller than the minimum size (of 127 mm) are classed as totally protected fish.

The fishing rules also explain that egg carrying (“berried”) female crabs are also totally protected. One can tell if a female blue swimmer is berried, if there is a spongy mass of eggs attached underneath.

Measuring and inspecting each crab before catching the next one is a legal requirement.

In an official record of interview, the 33-year-old claimed he was aware of the crab size limit, but had not measured the crabs ahead of coming ashore.

The offender was ordered to pay $1,000 as a general penalty, a $1,750 mandatory penalty in relation to the undersize crabs, and $1,000 in legal costs.

DPIRD advice is to measure each crab accurately along the widest part of the shell, from tip to tip of the carapace spikes, using a crab gauge available from tackle shops. Using anything else to measure with, such as a drink can or ruler, can lead to mistakes.

Director Regional Compliance Metro Todd A’Vard said it was important that crab fishers took a gauge with them as part of their fishing kit.

“By carrying a measuring gauge, it means each crab can be measured as soon as its caught and any undersize crabs can be returned immediately to the water,” Mr A’Vard said.

“It’s also important to note there’s an autumn closure on blue swimmer crab fishing at present from the Swan River to Binningup Beach, which runs until the end of November.”