Helping crab fishers embrace more environmentally friendly options

Recreational crab fishers across coastal NSW have embraced the opportunity to swap their crab gear for more environmentally friendly alternatives at crab gear exchange days over the summer period.

The DPI Fisheries pop-up crab gear exchange program has seen more than 1000 witches hat nets and rectangular traps swapped for more environmentally friendly round crab traps and lift nets over the past 12 months.

DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Phil Bolton says it's fantastic to see the community support this program to reduce the threat to marine wildlife through crabbing.

“When it comes to recreational crab fishing, not all nets and traps are created equal, with some types much better at reducing the risk of wildlife bycatch,” he said.

“The beauty of round crab traps and lift nets is that they reduce the risk of bycatch to wildlife such as turtles.”

“We are hoping that the crabbing community continues to support using these gear types into the future.”

“Our research shows that not only are the round traps more environmentally friendly than the rectangular ones, they also are more effective at trapping crabs. This means they are a win for crab fishers and the environment.”

Mr Bolton said if you’ve missed out on the gear exchange days, there are still things you can do to become a more responsible crab fisher.

“There are simple ways you can reduce the risk to wildlife from your gear. For instance, adding a cable tie to reduce the size of a rectangular crab trap's entrance is one way of reducing bycatch risk.”

To find out more about how to crab responsibly and how to modify your gear go to: https://bit.ly/40gROOJ

Pop up crab exchange days were held at Coffs Harbour (Jan & Feb), Sydney (Jan), Nowra (Feb) and Mooney Mooney - Hawkesbury (Feb) with assistance of Fishcare volunteers.

The pop-up crab trap exchange days are partially funded under the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.