SA's blue manna crab limits
Submitted by Ben Derecki on Wed, 2010-09-15 14:14
How are these limits for blue mannas in South Oz. Be interesting to know a bit more about the science behind those first two points.
Blue swimmer crab rules at a glance:
• Daily bag limit of 40 per person (combined limits with sand crabs).
• Daily boat limit of 120 (combined limits with sand crabs).
• A minimum size limit of 11cm width measured across the carapace from the base of the largest spines also applies.
• It is illegal to take female crabs with eggs. These must be returned to the water straight away without harm.
• Recreational crab fishers are not permitted to sell or trade their catch.
MattMiller
Posts: 4171
Date Joined: 15/06/09
Isn't
the bag limit and boat limit the same as what we used to have???
scotto
Posts: 2474
Date Joined: 21/04/08
me
when i was growin up the limit was 24 per person, 48 per boat. pretty sure that got dropped to 20 and 40, and then to the 10 and 20 we have now.
the old boy and his mates would bag out down yunderup way, and feed an entire mob that night, then do it all again the next day.
Ben Derecki
Posts: 1926
Date Joined: 10/10/07
And still have mate. Bag
And still have mate.
Bag Limit - 10 per day
Boat Limit - 20 per day (2 or more anglers with their rfbl).
How's that boat limit difference! Imagine pulling in 120 blues...
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
I used to live in SA and
I used to live in SA and there are stacks of blue swimmer crabs around. The areas are completely different to where you find them in WA. SA has a lot of shallow bays and gulfs that the crabs thrive in. WA takes the cake for better size, albiet less numbers.
During crabbing months it isn't a case of if you're going to bag out but how long it's going to take.
wildinp
Posts: 89
Date Joined: 30/03/09
having grown up in SA the
having grown up in SA the crabing thee is phenominal. Yes in terms of sustainability it could be worth looking at the quotas (been a while since i was in SA now), but as Lucky Tim said, it is a very different ecosystem. The 2 shallow gulfs are a meca for them. We used to have a sand bank just out from St Kilda and was a couple of hours of raking and you would have your limits if thats what you were targeting! Sizes were pretty good from my experiences too....
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
And a minimum size across
And a minimum size across the carapace for them in 110mm and 127 here. That's not gonna see many getting too big. Go figure!!
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Lucky Tim
Posts: 2536
Date Joined: 28/11/07
measured differently over
measured differently over there, from the BASE of the largest spines ie, if the gauge doesn't fit nicely in the grooves at the base of the largest spine, back it goes, or is at least meant to.
I'm sure it still happens and trying not to stereotype but you would always see Asians with their 40 crabs each, plus dozens of "bodyless" claws and legs in the bottom of the tub. I don't think a "released" sub 11cm crab is going to get far with no appendages.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
The crabs are real suckers
The crabs are real suckers over in SA.
Very easy to get the limit, and often get fussy and release legal ones and all females just to get the biggest boys.
People ask me what you do with 40 crabs?
Usually pick at half a dozen as you are cooking them. Nothing like cold beer and freshly cooked crabs.
The missus will eat 5 today and 5 tomorrow
Mum and Dad want 10 each (2 days of crab meat for them)
My Grandfather has 5, he loves them, but is too old to catch his own.
Take the remaining 4 or 5 to work to share with ya mates and you are considered a hero!!!!
Also, the way the crabs are measured is different. I reckon a legal crab in WA would be illegal in SA. I feel guilty here in WA with some of the crabs we legally kill.