A COVERT patrol recently busted a fisherman with about eight times more than the daily bag and possession limit of mud crabs.
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Fisheries officers carried out the patrol of of the Hastings River to stamp out illegal trapping.
The 40-year-old crabber was stopped with 39 mud crabs, which filled two large tubs and were able to be returned alive to the water.
The officers seized his boat and trailer as well as an outboard motor and fishing gear.
The Department of Primary Industries has made an application for the forfeiture of these items, and the crabber is expected to get a court attendance notice.
He is looking at sentences of 12 months imprisonment and $44,000 in fines, for the charge of possession of more than the maximum quantity of fish in circumstances of aggravation.
"In addition, if found guilty of exceeding the possession limit of a priority species, the courts may impose an additional penalty of up to 10 times the market value of the fish," acting director fisheries compliance Tony Andrews said.
The officer also reminded waterways users to follow the rules by marking traps and nets with the fisher's initial, surname, year of birth and postcode.
"The numbers of traps that are legally allowed to be used by both commercial and recreational fishers have been set to maintain a workable and sustainable fishery," Mr Andrews said.
"Fisheries officers regularly patrol these waters and will apprehend and prosecute anyone involved in illegally fishing."
ben.cooper@fairfaxmedia.com.au