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Wednesday 26 June 2019
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Crabs in fight of their lives DAY trippers using nets and buckets are reportedly over-fishing moulting spider crabs in the shallows at Blairgowrie. So many of the large crabs – particularly vulnerable when shedding their
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old shells – are being taken that some locals fear their numbers are bound to plummet. The plunder echoes that of pipis at Venus Bay, where day trippers flout the one-bucket-a-family rule as they scour the sand at low tide for the shellfish – alarming locals and environmentalists. Up to 100,000 spider crabs make their annual migration into Port Phillip
on the first full moon of winter (Monday 17 June this year) to moult. Stingrays, seals and seabirds feast on the fist-sized crabs. But, while the phenomenon has occurred since time immemorial, a new predator could be about to upset nature’s delicate balance. Diver and photographer Dave Baxter, and Xtreme Watersports proprietor
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Steve Dale, say people armed with crab nets and buckets are pouncing on the crabs as they shuffle about the sea floor waiting for their new shells to harden. “It’s become a major conservation issue of late,” Mr Baxter said. “The crabs come close to shore in their thousands and sit for an hour in the shallows while they shed and, in that time, the stingrays come in and
hoover up those with soft shells and the birds pick them off. “Taking the crabs hasn’t been an issue before and the bag limit is 30 per person but now, with so many people using nets, we think about 2000 were taken last week.” The penalty for exceeding the bag limit is a $484 on-the-spot fine. Continued Page 3 12404323-DJ46-18
Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au
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