Three dead eagles trigger crab pot crackdown in Redland Bay with $40k fines looming
A crabber, whose crab pots have netted and killed three eagles who died drowning slow and painful deaths, could face fines of nearly $40,000. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES AND VIDEO
Logan
Don't miss out on the headlines from Logan. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A crabber, whose crab pots have netted and killed three eagles in the past two weeks, could face fines of nearly $40,000.
ABATTOIR STAFF TOLD TO RECYCLE GLOVES
CRABS TEST POSITIVE FOR WHITE SPOT
NO PERMITS, NO PARK AS FINES DOUBLE
But before that, Fisheries officers have to catch the offender.
The brahminy kites, which are native to Australia and protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, died a slow and painful death after struggling to untangle from the pots, set off St Clair Island at Redland Bay.
It was likely two drowned after the tide came in and the birds’ legs got stuck in the mesh while they perched on top of the pots to eat bait.
Two Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers were at the scene within minutes of reports of the dead birds.
They confiscated four of the soft-top pots and inspected dry pots for regulated fish after being called to patrol mangroves in southern Redland Bay.
In the past three months, they have confiscated 31 incorrectly marked or set crab pots from foreshores between Cleveland and Redland Bay.
“It is illegal for certain types of crab pots to be out of the water but we will remain vigilant to ensure no more animals die like this,” they said.
“Pots should be set below the low tide mark and in a sufficient depth of water at all stages of the tide.”
A Fisheries Infringement Notice fine of $667 could apply for using inhumane or unregulated fishing methods and officers can also issue a $266 fine to those who fail to mark crab pots with names and addresses.
But the toughest fine of $13,345 for deliberately trapping and killing a brahminy kite is levied under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Fisheries said the risk to birds from crabbing activities had not been identified as high but a review of the soft-top crab pots was under way following the successful banning of inverted dilly pots in April 2010.
CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL WINE OFFERS
The Fisheries officers said a range of laws applied to crab fishing in Queensland including restrictions on fishing gear.
“With any type of fishing, the impact on the environment must be considered,” they said.
“Crab pots which are used incorrectly or left in the water when not being used can get lost or continue to ‘ghost fish’, trapping other fish and wildlife.
“Crabbers should ensure their pots are heavy enough and have enough rope attached to the float so they are not lost in strong tidal currents.”