Queensland’s annual spanner crab closed season for recreational and commercial fishers commences midnight 20 November until midnight 20 December inclusive. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district officer Russell Overton said the annual closure protected spanner crabs during breeding season.
“The closed season allows the crabs to spawn, replenishing crab stocks to ensure a sustainable fishery for future generations,” Mr Overton said. “Spanner crabs caught during the closed season should be carefully removed from the fishing apparatus before quickly being returned to the water.”
On-the-spot fines of $504 and a maximum penalty of $126,150 can apply to anyone caught with spanner crabs during the closed season. Mr Overton said fishers should also remember size and possession limits applied to spanner crabs during the open season.
“During the open season, there is a possession limit of 20 spanner crabs per person, and a minimum size limit of 10cm, measured from the centre spine to the mid carapace base along the back,” he said. “It’s also illegal to take egg-bearing (berried) female spanner crabs.”
For more information on closed seasons for fishing in Queensland, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing’ app from the Apple and Google app stores.
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