Blueclaw haul suspected for black market

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
16/11/2009
Blueclaw haul suspected for black market

A massive haul of 1000 blueclaw crayfish has landed five recreational fishers in hot water after a recent campsite raid in remote Western Queensland.

Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the haul was potentially to have been sold on the black market across the border.

"Two other large hauls of blueclaw have recently been picked up by New South Wales police just south of the Queensland border," Mr Mulherin said.

"Blueclaw stocks in other states have been relatively low this season unlike Queensland which has had a bumper year.

"As they are readily available here, we believe people are taking large catches to sell interstate.

"Blueclaw crayfish have a market value of between $15 to $25 per kilo. We estimate this current catch could have been worth up to $3000.

Mr Mulherin said Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers seized the latest haul after a tip off about the campsite at Cooper Channels, 600 kms south-west of Charleville.

"During the raid, more than 500 cooked crayfish were found in a large cooler box the remaining haul was found still alive in plastic bins," Mr Mulherin said.

"Fisheries Infringement Notices (FIN or on-the-spot fine) have now been issued totalling $6500.

"A range of offences including failing to mark apparatus, using excess apparatus and using non-prescribed apparatus were found.

"The number of crayfish in their possession was well above the designated bag limit - in fact each fisher had double the permitted take. The bag limit for blue claw crayfish in Queensland is set at 100."

Mr Mulherin said that like all Queensland waters, freshwater fishing was regulated.

"Illegal fishing not only undermines the efforts of those fishers who are following the rules, it is not sustainable and can have a detrimental effect on the entire aquatic environment.

"These fishers are depleting Queensland stocks just to make a quick buck over the border.

"We are urging anyone in Queensland, South Australia, Victoria or New South Wales who may have information on seafood black marketing or illegal crayfish catch to contact the Queensland Fishwatch hotline on 1800 806 891."

The cooked yabbies were seized as evidence and will be destroyed at a later date. Healthy live crayfish were returned to nearby waterways.