Crabs aplenty in the Peel-Harvey Estuary

There are plenty of blue swimmer crabs in the Peel-Harvey Estuary this season according to the latest research by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). 

Stock assessment data collected by DPIRD’s fisheries scientists shows this season has been particularly good, with favourable environmental conditions over spring and summer leading to increased numbers of larger crabs in the estuary compared with recent years.

The news comes ahead of this weekend's Channel 7 Mandurah Crab Fest where the local seafood stars as the main attraction.

DPIRD’s Community Education Team will be at Crab Fest to promote crabbing rules which protect the sustainability of the resource. 

Community education coordinator Jessamy Bennett said the education team and fisheries officers would be on hand to answer any questions and provide information brochures on the general rules and regulations in multiple languages.

“We will have blue swimmer crabs on display so we can show the public how to identify, handle and measure them,” Mrs Bennett said.

“We will also be handing out crab gauges to recreational crabbers to ensure undersize crabs are left to grow and mature.

“The display will also include ‘Catch Care’ information with examples of equipment to minimise environmental impact while still catching a feed, and we will have a display of legal and illegal crabbing gear.”

Mrs Bennett said she expected the moult of a King crab caught in deep water off the WA coastline would be a popular feature of this year’s display, measuring 330mm across the carapace and originally weighing up to 17kg.

DPIRD Fisheries and Marine Officer Pia Finch with the moult of a King crab at last year’s Mandurah Crab Fest. PIC: Supplied

For anyone fishing in Mandurah this weekend, DPIRD’s crabbing guide for blue swimmer crabs is available online in multiple languages.

A video on Mandurah Blue Swimmer Crabs - How to handle and measure has also been produced.

DPIRD officers conduct a crab survey in the Peel-Harvey Estuary. PIC: Supplied