Fisheries seize sand crabs at Ocean Grove

27 August 2015

Fisheries Victoria Officers have seized nearly 300 sand crabs after intercepting a vehicle at the Ocean Grove boat ramp earlier this week.

Fisheries Victoria Officer Todd Mestrovic said a vehicle was stopped around 9pm on Monday night (August 24th) where a search revealed an esky and two buckets containing 285 sand crabs.

"It is alleged that the catch was collected from the Barwon River estuary, by three female persons aged between 47 and 53 from St Albans, using recreational hoop net equipment.

"The total quantity of sand crabs allegedly taken by the group constitutes more than three times than that of the legal daily catch limit of 30 per person or one litre," he said.

Mr Mestrovic said the entire catch was seized, as well as the equipment used by the group to catch the crabs and the Fisheries Officers returned the entire catch to the water.

He said three females were interviewed on site and will be charged on summons to appear in court at a later date.

"There has been an influx of sand crabs into the Barwon River and officers will be patrolling the area night and day to ensure that fishers comply with the catch limit of 30 per person per day."

Mr Mestrovic urged members of the public to call the offence reporting line 13FISH on 133474 to report illegal fishing.