Cautions skyrocket for crabbers nabbing undersized catches
THE number of people caught taking undersized crabs from metropolitan beaches has skyrocketed in the past three years as fisheries officers crack down on persistent offenders.
THE number of people caught taking undersized crabs from metropolitan beaches has skyrocketed in the past three years as fisheries officers crack down on persistent offenders.
But fishers say more still needs to be done to stamp out the practice.
Cautions and expiation notices issued between Sellicks Beach and Port Wakefield rose from 122 in the 2014/15 financial year to 335 in 2015/16.
In the seven months of 2016/17, 228 offenders have been caught by fishing inspectors.
While the sharp rise can partly be attributed to increased patrols in problem areas and unusually high numbers of blue swimmer crabs this season, RecFish SA executive director David Ciaravolo saidon-the-spot fines were still not tough enough or applied often enough.
Fishers found taking undersized crabs risked an on-the-spot fine of $160 or a maximum penalty of $20,000 if the matter was deemed serious enough to be prosecuted before a court. Fisheries officers can issue cautions or prosecute at their own discretion.
Mr Ciaravolo said he supported any measures which would help clamp down on the practice.
“It’s a minority but a persistent minority and it’s very frustrating when you have these repeat offenders continually breaking the rules,” he said.
“Crabbing has been really good recently and there should be plenty to go around, but it’s not fair for the vast majority who do the right thing.” Fisherman Michael Pisani agreed more needed to be done as South Australian fisheries rules weren’t tough enough.
“It’s the South Australian fisheries’ fault for not having tough enough rules,” he said.
“I think the best way to punish these people is to increase the fines and there should be no warning,” he said. However, State Government Primary Industries department director Peter Dietman said the growth in offences was a result of a targeted effort to stop the practice.
“Blue swimmer crab offences continue to be one of the most common compliance issues detected by fisheries officers, with additional effort including patrols and targeted operations conducted at crabbing beaches in recent years to monitor activity,” he said.
“Over summer, anecdotal reports have indicated good catches of blue crabs along the metropolitan coast, with high numbers of good-sized crabs being taken.”
Mr Dietman said minimum size and bag limits were an important tool to maintain crab stocks and any undersized crabs should immediately be returned to the water.
The minimum size limit is 11cm and the daily bag limit is 20. It is also an offence to take females with eggs.
Mr Dietman said the possible $20,000 penalty and the possibility of having their fishing gear seized “should serve as a sufficient deterrent”.
While the sharp rise can partly be attributed to increased patrols in problem areas and unusually high numbers of blue swimmer crabs this season, RecFish SA executive director David Ciaravolo saidon-the-spot fines were still not tough enough or applied often enough.
Fishers found taking undersized crabs risked an on-the-spot fine of $160 or a maximum penalty of $20,000 if the matter was deemed serious enough to be prosecuted before a court. Fisheries officers can issue cautions or prosecute at their own discretion.
Mr Ciaravolo said he supported any measures which would help clamp down on the practice.
“It’s a minority but a persistent minority and it’s very frustrating when you have these repeat offenders continually breaking the rules,” he said.
“Crabbing has been really good recently and there should be plenty to go around, but it’s not fair for the vast majority who do the right thing.” Fisherman Michael Pisani agreed more needed to be done as South Australian fisheries rules weren’t tough enough.
“It’s the South Australian fisheries’ fault for not having tough enough rules,” he said.
“I think the best way to punish these people is to increase the fines and there should be no warning,” he said. However, State Government Primary Industries department director Peter Dietman said the growth in offences was a result of a targeted effort to stop the practice.
“Blue swimmer crab offences continue to be one of the most common compliance issues detected by fisheries officers, with additional effort including patrols and targeted operations conducted at crabbing beaches in recent years to monitor activity,” he said.
“Over summer, anecdotal reports have indicated good catches of blue crabs along the metropolitan coast, with high numbers of good-sized crabs being taken.”
Mr Dietman said minimum size and bag limits were an important tool to maintain crab stocks and any undersized crabs should immediately be returned to the water.
The minimum size limit is 11cm and the daily bag limit is 20. It is also an offence to take females with eggs.
Mr Dietman said the possible $20,000 penalty and the possibility of having their fishing gear seized “should serve as a sufficient deterrent”.