Crab

IT is that time again – time to hunt prawns and mud crabs. Nothing new about that over summertime, but this is prawning and crabbing with a difference – from the shore in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay. For our NSW readers, you would be familiar with the favourite summer pastime of chasing greasyback, eastern king and tiger prawns in the estuaries. …

QUEENSLAND’S annual spanner crab closed season for recreational and commercial fishing commences at midnight on November 20 and runs through until midnight on December 20. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Russell Overton said the closed season protects spanner crabs when they are most vulnerable during their breeding season. “The closed season gives the crabs a chance to spawn …

Around the mouth of the Nerang, the underwater rock wall that runs from The Southport School boat shed to the mouth of the canal on the other side of the river is a consistent spot for a feed of bream. With three bridges now running across the river near the Sundale boat ramp, this is another good spot in which to …

Bassman Spinnerbaits is a family owned and run business, with Glen and Sue putting in many hours a week to keep up with the demand for this great product. Bassman also offers custom-made spinnerbaits and I have seen many fishers order their own colours. I have even called Sue requesting colours I want to try. When I fished the Flathead Classic …

These fish can be a bit tedious to clean but are beautiful eating – almost as nice as whiting. The recent summer whiting season in the Nerang River was a bit different to seasons past, with a lot less rain than normal seeing the moon phases influencing the numbers and quality of fish more than usual. Good numbers of excellent-quality whiting …

“The black market sale of fish is a serious issue in Queensland that not only undermines the sustainability of fish stocks but it also devalues the product supplied by commercial fishers who rely on it for their livelihood,” he said. “The illegal trade in fish and crabs is also of health concern to the public as there are no requirements …

NINE vessels and 22 people were caught breaking the law as part of a joint crab pot surveillance operation undertaken between Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Redland Bay Water Police targeting crab pot thefts in the Logan River. QBFP field officer Chris Watts said the operation was conducted following complaints by both commercial and recreational crab fishers involving crab pot …

A SUNSHINE Coast crabber has been fined $3900 for five charges including possessing female and undersized mud crab catches, using unmarked crab apparatus and obstructing officers. Queensland Boating and Fishing Patrol district officer Russell Overton said the crabber was approached walking along Kawana Way carrying a bucket. “As the officers approached, the crabber threw the bucket into nearby mangroves,” Mr Overton …

“In Queensland, it is illegal to take female mud crabs; and male mud crabs have a minimum size limit of 15cm across the carapace, with a possession limit of 10,” he said. “The fine issued is significant and demonstrates the seriousness of the offences, which pose a threat to the local mud crab breeding population.” Mr McDonald said the Logan River …

A WHOPPING 144 unattended and abandoned crab pots have been seized in the Hinchinbrook Channel during a three-day operation by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol. QBFP district officer Rob Ibell said abandoned fishing gear was a growing environmental issue, with numbers being recovered on the rise. “Some of the pots found had been reported stolen and were returned to their …