Mud crab trafficking crackdown sees Bundaberg man land major fine
A crackdown on illegal selling and trafficking of mud crabs is seeing a swathe of fines land across Queensland.
A Bundaberg man was fined $20,000 after Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) officers found he had committed 26 offences under the Fisheries Act 1994.
His fine is one of several mud crab-related prosecutions across Queensland in the past seven months after a push to stop illegal selling and trafficking, according to a Primary Industries Department statement.
In this most recent case, surveillance footage and a seized mobile phone revealed evidence of ongoing illegal mud crab sales to multiple buyers across the region.
The Bundaberg man was found in possession of 14 female mud crabs and multiple undersized crabs and later had his fishing equipment forfeited.
Since 12 May 2025, QBFP has recorded more than $61,100 in major penalties and prosecutions found guilty in court, and $85,699 in on-the-spot FINS (Fisheries Infringement Notices) for mud crab offences statewide.
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Deputy Director-General Fisheries and Forestry Pauline Jacob said the recruitment of 10 additional QBFP officers in July had further strengthened patrol capability across the state.
“Whether it’s interfering with crab pots, taking undersized or female crabs or engaging in unlawful trade, no offence goes unnoticed and our staff are ready to take action,” Jacob said.
“The message is simple, and the consequences are real – if you lift someone else’s pots or take crabs outside the rules, you will be caught and face serious penalties. Follow the rules or risk losing your boat, your gear and a lot of money.
“Queenslanders value their seafood and sustainable fisheries. These laws are in place to protect that resource for everyone and ensure all anglers have a positive experience on the water.”
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Other actions included a Cairns fisher being fined $12,000 and having his boat seized and destroyed in July after he was caught interfering with crab pots belonging to other individuals.
In September, a fisher in Ayr was fined $1,500 for obstructing officers and failing to properly mark crab pots.
While officers in the Airlie Beach district in October issued five infringement notices over a six-week period for unlawful interference with crab fishing apparatus, totalling $8,065 in fines.
Another Brisbane fisher was fined $12,000 and had his boat and trailer forfeited in the same month after being caught with seven female mud crabs and 27 undersized mud crabs near Beenleigh.
