Northern Rivers man charged over illegal crab haul at Tweed Heads

Three men have lost their boat and have been fined after they were caught with 43 mud crabs which were allegedly stolen from recreational and commercial traps.

NSW DPI Fisheries shared the photos of the illegal crab haul in the Tweed Heads region.

Three Tweed Heads men have lost their boat and a haul of mud crabs they allegedly stole from recreational and commercial traps.

NSW DPI Fisheries reported the incident on Wednesday, following a NSW DPI fisheries and Tweeds Heads Police Marine Area Command operation.

They said the boat contained 43 live mud crabs weighing a total of 26kg, one cast net ‒ which is illegal to use and possess in NSW ‒ and one unmarked crab trap not to belonging to any of the men.

The bag limit for mud crab in NSW is five per person and the minimum size limit is 8.5cm carapace length.

“All recreational fishers must comply with NSW bag and size limits,” the statement said.

“Fishers must not interfere with commercial or recreational fishing apparatus including crab traps that are marked and identified as belonging to another fisher and stealing from another person’s crab traps is illegal.”

NSW DPI Fisheries shared the photos of the illegal crab haul in the Tweed Heads region.

Two of the men have since been issued penalty notices totalling $2200 and the remaining man is expected to be issued court attendance notices to face multiple charges.

All of the mud crab catch was returned alive to the water.

The public is urged to report suspected illegal fishing activity by calling the NSW DPI Fishers Watch service on 1800 043 536 or online reports here.