Inverted crab dillies also known as witches’ hats will be banned in Queensland from 2 April 2010.Fisheries resource manager Mark Lightowler said the ban was in place to combat ‘ghost-fishing’ and reduce entanglement and death of non-target marine species.
"Inverted dillies are made of a light gauge mesh, which can easily entangle marine species such as turtles, sharks, rays and fish," he said.
"It is difficult to release these species and female and undersized crabs from this mesh unharmed.
"Inverted dillies are light weight in their construction and have a tendency to drift and become lost.
"They then continue to ‘ghost-fish’ until they become buried or breakdown."
Mr Lightowler said other types of crab pots or dillies allowed fish and unwanted crabs to be easily released unharmed.
"They are also far less likely to entrap protected marine animals such as turtles," he said.
"The phasing out of witches’ hats was announced back in December 2008 as part of an overhaul in recreational and commercial fishing rules for inshore fisheries.
"A long lead-in period for the ban was in put in place to give both suppliers and consumers time to update their crabbing gear.
"Other crabbing apparatus including hoop dillies (sometimes called lift dillies) and crab pots can still be used.
"Fishers should also remember to mark their crab apparatus with an identifying tag bearing the owner’s surname and address.
"Individuals should not use a total of more than four items of crabbing apparatus, including any combination of crab pots or dillies per person.
"This applies if you are using crabbing gear from a boat or from the shore."
For more information visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au
