Crab fishing is a beloved pastime and an important commercial industry in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. With the warmer months approaching in 2024, it’s the perfect time to brush up on your knowledge of responsible crab fishing practices to minimize your environmental impact and ensure a sustainable future for this popular activity.
What is Crab Fishing?
Crab fishing, also known as crabbing, involves catching crabs using various methods such as traps, nets, and lines. In NSW, the most sought-after crab species are the Mud Crab and Blue Swimmer Crab. These crustaceans are not only fun to catch but also provide delicious seafood for anglers to enjoy once back on land.
Is Crabbing Considered Fishing?
Yes, crabbing is considered a form of fishing in NSW. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) recognizes crab fishing as both a popular recreational fishery and an important commercial fishery in the state. Recreational crabbers must adhere to specific rules and regulations, including obtaining a recreational fishing license, adhering to bag and size limits, and using only permitted fishing gear.
Responsible Crab Fishing Practices
To ensure the sustainability of crab fishing in NSW, it’s crucial for anglers to adopt responsible fishing practices. This includes:
- Choosing the right gear: Lift nets and round crab traps with small entrances are considered to have a lower risk of wildlife bycatch compared to other gear types.
- Modifying gear to improve environmental performance: Crab traps with large entrances can be modified by reducing the entrance size to prevent the entry of non-target species like turtles. Witches hat nets can be converted to lift nets by removing the float from the mesh.
- Adhering to legal requirements: Recreational crabbers must follow specific rules regarding the number of traps and nets they can use, the size of floats, and the labeling of gear.
- Measuring crabs correctly: Blue Swimmer and Mud Crabs are measured along the body from the notch between the two most protruding frontal teeth to the center of the posterior margin of the carapace or shell.
Crab Fishing Gear and Modifications
The type of gear used for crab fishing can have a significant impact on the environment. Here are some key considerations:
- Lift nets and round crab traps with small entrances are considered to have a lower risk of wildlife bycatch and are effective at catching crabs.
- Rectangular crab traps with large entrances can allow non-target species like turtles to enter and become trapped.
- Witches hat nets can catch non-target species and wildlife by the animals becoming stuck in the entanglement mesh of the gear.
- Modifying gear, such as reducing the entrance size of crab traps and converting witches hat nets to lift nets, can improve their environmental performance.
Crab Fishing Regulations in NSW
Recreational crabbers in NSW must adhere to specific rules and regulations to ensure the sustainability of the fishery. These include:
- Obtaining a recreational fishing license, unless exempt (e.g., under 18, pensioner concession card holder, or Aboriginal person).
- Adhering to bag and size limits: 10 Blue Swimmer Crabs (6.5cm legal length) and 5 Mud Crabs (8.5cm legal length) per day.
- Using only permitted fishing gear, such as a maximum of two crab traps and four hoop nets or witches hats per person.
- Marking fishing gear with floats that are at least 100mm in size and labeled with the required information.
- Returning female crabs carrying eggs to the water.
Reporting Illegal Fishing and Stolen Gear
If you witness illegal fishing activities or have had your crab fishing gear stolen, it’s important to report it to the authorities. In NSW, you can:
- Call the Fishers Watch number at 1800 043 536 to report illegal fishing.
- Contact NSW Crimestoppers at 1800 333 000 if you have information on or have been a victim of crime on our waterways.
Reporting illegal activities helps to protect the crab fishery and ensures a fair and sustainable future for all anglers.
Conclusion
Crab fishing is a beloved pastime and an important commercial industry in NSW. By adopting responsible fishing practices, using the right gear, and adhering to regulations, anglers can enjoy this activity while ensuring a sustainable future for the crab fishery. Remember to choose environmentally responsible gear, modify your equipment if necessary, and report any illegal activities or stolen gear to the authorities. With a little care and consideration, we can all contribute to the long-term health of NSW’s crab populations and the enjoyment of crab fishing for generations to come.