Got Busted - now have a Stainless Steel Precision Crab Measure

[trueblue]

After having a debate on the water with a fisheries inspector regarding the size of some of my crabs, I found that my plastic crab measures are not accurate at all. I had 2 different and common types, one yellow and one orange. Neither were accurate, and both would get me into trouble.

The fisheries boys use a set of digital vernier calipers to measure your crabs... for sandies, 115mm minimum size means that 114.99 is undersize. (Their digital verniers read in 0.01mm graduations)

One of my crabs measured 114mm. I explained that I had very carefully gauged each crab with my plastic measure, and showed the inspector my measure. He then put my measure over his digital calipers, and the plastic measure was nearly a mm under legal size. Big Problem - my problem.

I certainly didn't think that a crab measure purchased from many reputable stores would be under legal size!!!

I later checked a range of plastic measures in a commonly known store, and found a large number of these measures that were under legal size. Another problem found with some plastic measure is the big flat on the sand crab measure. Sand crab carapace notches don't have a neat and square shaped notch, so even if the plastic measure was proper size, the crab would still be undersize. Pastic measures also change size in the sun, and not always bigger, as they can twist.

Cutting a long story short, I made myself a precision cut stainless steel crab measuring gauge that is 0.5mm over minimum legal size, and bevelled to suit sand crabs as well. My crab measuring problems are over. The half a mm over minimum legal size just removes all doubt.

When I got my stainless steel crab measure made, I got a batch of them done as it was more cost effective in a batch, and I'm sure other people don't want to get caught the way I did.

PM me or email me at mixoffshore@hotmail.com if you are interested in getting one of these stainless steel crab measures. (Current QLD Regulations)

cheers

Mick

[trueblue]

I recieved a query about NSW regulations (60mm for sandies and 85mm for muddies - measured along the carapace instead of accross it in NSW).

The remaining stainless measures I have left right now are for QUEENSLAND regulations.

I could however do a batch of NSW, NT, or other state measures if enough people wanted them.

cheers

Mick

[garman1]

Hi Mick

Just to let you know, I got mine in the mail this afternoon (Tues). It looks the goods, thanks Mick.

Now just to get some crabs in the boat ...................

[dreemon]

Hey Mick,

I'll still be getting one of you, just super busy with work, but will get my wife to organize the order side of it, lookin foward to using it cheers

[Sea-Dog]

Hey thanks Mick,

I got mine in the mail today.

She's a beauty.


Cheers, Ross

[bondy99]

Thanks Mick,

Received mine a few days ago. I'm impressed.

Peter

[charleville]

I am now the proud owner of one of Trueblue's gauges as well. The postman brought it today. What a beauty!

Thanks Mick!


I checked my orange plastic gauge as well and found that one of its problems is that the sides are not square. My wife picked that up by just looking at it so I checked it with a quality try-square and there it was, daylight to be seen.

Anyway, I am delighted with my new crab gauge. Many thanks again, Mick.




.

[trueblue]

You have hit the problem nail in the head there mate, the plastic ones are crap and cannot be relied on.

A very large percentage of the plastic ones I have checked in the stores are not square, and they are under the legal size on the end. You can pick a crab up stuck in many of those crappy plastic gauges and still have an undersized crab.

Fisheries can still bust you, and you can't do anything about it as it is each individuals responsibility to ensure the size of the crab.

Many other countries have certified crab measures that take the onus away from the individual, but Australia does not have certification of gauges.

I can at least say that these ones are exactly what I say they are, at least half a mm larger than the minimum legal size. They were cut by computer numeric control (CNC) and are perfectly square, and correctly sized to 2 decimal points.

cheers

Mick

[bondy99]

Very well stated Mick,

Australia seems to be the old addage "She'll be right mate". It's more "spot on" with the Stainless Steel guage.

Cheers, Peter

[trueblue]

Could the person who sent me money for a crab measure, but who didn't recieve it, please send me an email telling me the date you did the transfer. There were no personal details on the transfer, and I didn't recieve an email providing name and address etc to match to the transfer.

my email address is mixoffshore@hotmail.com

please check the spelling of the email address to be as above.

cheers

Mick

[trueblue]

all sorted out now

cheers

Mick