Crab proves costly for recreational fishers at Wallis Lake

Two recreational fishers have been issued penalty notices totalling $1400 for allegedly interfering with set commercial crab traps on Wallis Lake, near Forster. 

NSW Department of Primary Industries District Fisheries Officer, Martin Angle, said the two men were apprehended during targeted patrols by local fisheries officers at Wallis Lake. 

“A 38 year old man from Naremburn and a 43 year old man from Mosman were fined a total of $700 each for possession of four illegally taken blue swimmer crabs that had been removed from a local commercial fisher’s trap,” Mr Angle said. 

“The offenders were observed using a recreational boat to assist in removing the crabs from the trap. 

“The four blue swimmer crabs and one commercial fish trap were seized by a fisheries officer at the scene. 

“These apprehensions again serve as a reminder to fishers that fisheries officers will not tolerate illegal interference with set crab traps.” 

Mr Angle said it is also important that recreational crab fishers check the rules before dropping a trap into the water. 

“There are a range of regulations regarding the use, construction and marking of all crab traps that aim to ensure the long term sustainability of the crab fishery,” Mr Angle said. 

“Fisheries officers regularly check crab traps along the NSW north coast to ensure that rules are being followed, and any illegal traps are seized and offenders prosecuted.” 

The main rules relating to recreational crab fishing are: 

• Only one crab trap can be used or be in the possession of a fisher 
• A buoy not less than 10 centimetre in diameter, set above the surface of the water, must be attached to the crab trap 
• The crab trap must be clearly marked ‘C T’ with the persons name and address 
• Fishers should not set the gear in areas of high boat traffic or navigation channels 
• A daily bag limit of five mud crabs per person applies and all crabs must be at least 8.5 centimetres in carapace length 
• Fishers must hold and carry a recreational fishing licence when using a crab trap 

Details of trap dimensions, marking requirements and bag and size limits are available at http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au and in the 2012 NSW Recreational Saltwater Fishing Guide. 

Fishers should report crab trap theft, illegal crab fishing activity and illegal sale of crabs to their local NSW DPI Fisheries office or call Fishers’ Watch Phone Line on 1800 043 536. 

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