$23,000 fine for crab haul

A group of four people who took 115 undersized blue swimmer crabs have been fined more than $23,000.

Ngun Khin Sung, Sung Sung, Mang Tling Thang Nget and Dar Pen Vai Ngam appeared in the Rockingham Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they each pleaded guilty to possessing a “totally protected fish”.

The court heard about 11.30pm on December 15, the group was in a car that was pulled over as part of a routine traffic stop on the Kwinana Freeway.

When officers noticed crab scoops, they searched the car and found 117 crabs, of which 115 were undersized.

The legal size limit for crabs is 127mm. The crabs seized ranged from 92.6mm-124.8mm.

The group had also breached their allowance of 10 crabs per person.

When questioned , the group said they had not measured the crabs or counted them.

A Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officer said the undersized crabs were released, but because of their time out of the water, it was unlikely any survived. Each person was fined $5750 and an additional $100 and ordered to pay $205.30 in court costs.