A 50-year-old male operating a commercial crabbing operation has been issued a Notice to Appear by the Water Police Section (WPS) over a number of fisheries offences.
On Monday 25 February 2019 WPS members conducted a routine patrol of Salt Water Arm targeting marine and fisheries offences.
The male was stopped on the Salt Water Arm road and was directed to take part in a full inspection of his operation.
A number of offences were identified which resulted in his vessel and 47 crab pots being seized.
The male was issued with a Notice to Appear in Darwin Local Court for:
- Fish unlicensed x 3
- Possess undersized mud crabs
- Possess commercially unsuitable mud crabs
- Fail to process mud crabs as soon as practicable
- Possess managed species (Barramundi)
Further charges for the male are possible.
A number of the mud crabs seized by police were released at Salt Water Arm later that evening.
Further investigation of the incident led to a 46-year-old male being issued with a Notice to Appear for:
- Attempt to pervert the course of justice
- Person in charge of fishing operation not appointed
