Mud crab season best in seven years

THIS year has seen the best start to a mud crabbing season in more than seven years, says NT mud crab licensees committee chair Chris Calogeras

Mad keen mud crabbers, Ray Medlicott, 63, and mate Sammie Kassman, 80, enjoy the spoils of Buffalo Creek. PICTURE: Patrina Malone

CRABBERS have been pinching themselves over a ripper start to this year’s season.

NT mud crab licensees committee chair, Chris Calogeras, said it had been the best start to a mud crabbing season in seven years,

“It is only early in the year but the crabbers are feeling much more positive about this year,” he said.

“Reports are that catches are three or four times better than last year which was the worst season in memory.”

Mr Calogeras said, from a commercial mud crabbing perspective, a good Wet meant good catches.

“Industry are looking forward to a productive season this year with better catches and higher prices for the whole year,” he said.

Buffalo Creek Compound caretaker Ray Medlicott, 63, said it was a bumper year for recreational fishermen.

“The crabs this year seem to be bigger and they are full — which means they are full of meat,” he said.

“It hasn’t been this good since 2011.”

Mr Medlicott who has been fishing in the Territory for almost 30 years, said successful mud crabbers knew where to put their pot.

He said the good fishing would likely run to the end of next month.