Crab Pot Policing Blitz

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I had it confirmed today - there is a definite blitz on crab pots at the moment.


So just a reminder

- name and address on pots
- name on float
- maximum 4
- light coloured float, more that 15cm across.


On this last point there seems to be some confusion. The reports are that anything less than 15cm in all directions make the float too small. So I heard that one guy was warned for using a 2 litre milk bottle (11cm x 11 cm x 35cm appx)

But the way I read the regulations it says 15 cm in ANY dimension. So the milk bottle passes.

I would be interested to hear of anybody who has been warned or who has had pots confiscated / been fined in the last few weeks

Thanks

Gary Fooks
0412 111 573
g.fooks@uq.net.au



The Regulations state in part:

5 Marking of fishing apparatus
(1) A crab pot, collapsible trap, dilly or inverted dilly (“crab
apparatus”) used to take crabs must have a tag with the owner’s surname
and address written on it.
(2) Also, if the crab apparatus is not fixed to something while it is in use,
the apparatus must have a light coloured float attached to it.
(3) The float must be at least 15 cm in any dimension and have the
owner’s name written on it.

[devocean]

Can you tell me the difference between a fish trap and a crab pot in terms of size and funnel position

[baldyhead]

Gary ask 10 QB&FP Officers about the 2L milk bottle float and get 10 different answers.
At a club meeting some time ago with a QB&FP Officer invited along to give a talk on fisheries regulations etc this subject was bought up. After the officers definition of the 150mm every member, including me went to taylors marine and purchased 150mm white foam floats and threw away our milk bottles.
This was a shame as they were just great for spraying fluro paint inside and fitting small lights into for the times when I was out fishing after dark.
When breached we couldn't afford the court and associated costs for running the risk of using 2L milk bottles.
cheers baldy

[Daintreeboy]

With regards to the "not fixed to something" bit, does a tree count or does it have to be your boat?
Thanks, Mark.

[cod_botherer]

I would also like clarification of the "fixed to something" line.

I have taken to tying to mangroves at low tide so that the pots don't get lifted. I always make sure that the pots won't be a shipping hazard.

Since I started doing this I have never lost a pot, but I always thought I was in breach of the regs.

Looks like maybe not. :D

Opinions?

[Big_Muddie]

The only regulation you may be in breach of is one that relates to damage of mangrove trees.

I also tie off to mangrove roots - have been for years.

I actually asked a DPI (Fisheries) guy about this and he said mangrove trees were OK - take that for what it's worth.

On the other hand, those responsible for the health and well being of mangroves may have a totally different view.

The often used example of tying off is "tied to a jetty/pier or a fixed object".

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Primary Industries & Fisheries, Henry Palaszczuk

01/12/04


Moreton Bay sweep nets 148 illegal crab pots

Almost 150 crab pots were removed from Moreton Bay during a Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) clean up of illegal fishing gear.

The three-day operation was carried out between Jumpinpin and Coochie Mudlo Island in southern Moreton Bay and involved seven DPI&F officers.

Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said 148 crab pots were picked up that were marked incorrectly or not at all.

"While it's unfortunate to see this many crab pots incorrectly marked this is a good outcome for fisheries enforcement," he said.

"There have been a number of complaints about wrongly marked crab pots and crab raiding incidents in Moreton Bay so it was a timely operation."

Mr Palaszczuk said the operation sent a strong message about complying with fisheries regulations.

"Some people might think they are safe because they have their crab pots tucked away in little nooks but the reality is they will be eventually caught," he said.

"DPI&F officers carry out regular patrols of Moreton Bay and its tributaries and are very familiar with the local area and crabbing spots."

Mr Palaszczuk said the 148 crab pots had been taken to a Brisbane DPI&F base at Pinkenba and catalogued.

"The crab pots are held waiting to be collected but I should warn people they face a $150 fine for being in breach of the fisheries regulations," he said.

People are also only allowed to use four crab pots which need to be clearly marked with the owner's name and address and, if using a float, this must also have the owner's name on it.

Mr Palaszczuk said Member for Redlands John English had made strong representations on behalf of local fishers who were concerned about the level of illegal crab pots in the Bay.

For more information about recreational fishing rules visit the DPI&F Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 3004 or 0418 197 350

[mackmauler]

probably many offenders loading the shotty waiting for the theifs to come back LOL

[gif]

why do you call them thieves?

Apparently all or almost all were seized because they were not named.

The regulations say name your float and name and address on the pot.

That sounds a sensible law to me. It sounds sensible even without a law.

So the Fisheries are hardly the bad guys today ...

[mackmauler]

so the fisheries say, ive confronted them about there actions in the past and the response hasnt been friendly, id like to see the evidence before I called the recreational guys guilty. believe whatever you want.

[RobSee]

Would you prefer if there were no fisheries at all? Then you would struggle to get any crabs at all....

Put yourself in their shoes, see if you would enjoy copping the abuse from ill informed rec fishos who have not done a thing but wreck a common, but overused and under threat resource

[SNAFU]

i hope they put this much vigor and recources into policing the yellow raincoat navey this year as what they (yellow raincoats) did last year was nothing short of rape of the ocean (or inlets) or any where that a prawn could possibly be found.
SNAFU.

[devocean]

Ran into the fishies the other day and they had a boat full of crab pots they had confiscated but they were pretty friendly I have to say. Rules are rules I guess