A group of five people have received on-the-spot fines in excess of $6,500 after they were caught with hundreds of undersized Blue Swimmer crabs.
The breach, at Thompson Beach north of Adelaide, came just two weeks after the State Government re-instated bag limits for the species in Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island from 10 to 20 crabs per person.
Fisheries Officers, who have described the breaches as one of the worst they'd seen so far this year, intercepted a group of five individuals crabbing at the popular beach on 13 May.
The group had a total of 240 Blue Swimmer crabs, including 221 undersize crabs below the legal size limit of 11 cm, exceeding the bag limit by 140 crabs. All crabs were seized and returned to the water. The group receiving on-the-spot fines totalling $6,550.
Two females had returned to their car with a shopping bag full of Blue Swimmer crabs, with a total of 53 crabs, of which 44 were undersize. The two females were each issued fines totalling $1,085.
Three males had used their clothing as catch bags to carry the crabs they caught, with one male allegedly attempting to hide his catch in seaweed. They were found with a total of 187 crabs, of which 177 were undersize. The three males were each issued fines of $1,460.
Bag and size limits for Blue Swimmer crabs (pictured) apply in all South Australian waters to help protect the long-term sustainability of the species and maintain healthy populations, ensuring future generations can continue to enjoy recreational crabbing.
Blue Swimmer crabs are considered undersize if the carapace measures less than 11 cm from side to side at the base of the largest spines. Any undersize crabs must be immediately returned to the water.
There is also a combined Blue Swimmer and Sand crab catch limit of 20 crabs per person.
PIRSA Director of Operations, Fisheries and Aquaculture Matt Read said the bust should serve as a "strong reminder to those who ignore the rules that if you do the wrong thing, you will be caught and you will have to pay the price".
"Size and bag limits are in place to ensure the sustainability of popular species so everyone who wants to enjoy a day out crabbing can have a fair day’s fishing now and in the future," Mr Read said.
"It’s the responsibility of all fishers to educate themselves about the rules and stick to them. There is clear signage at popular crabbing spots about how to measure to ensure crabs are the correct size, along with information about bag and boat limits, so there is no excuse for breaking the rules."
Recreational fishers can check the latest fishing limits in South Australia by visiting pir.sa.gov.au/fishing-limits (external site) (external site) or by downloading the upgraded SA Recreational Fishing App for full details.
Anyone who observes suspicious or illegal fishing activity is urged to report it to the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on 1800 065 522 or via the SA Recreational Fishing App (external site) (external site)
