Mud Crab Fishery

Mud crabs from the Gulf of Carpentaria are a culinary treasure, prized for their sweet, succulent meat. Whether steamed, stir-fried, or served in a curry, these crabs are a favorite in restaurants and homes alike. 

Nestled along Queensland’s northern coast, the Gulf of Carpentaria is a vibrant hub for the commercial mud crab fishery. Renowned for its delicious giant mud crabs (Scylla serrata), this fishery plays a vital role in supporting local communities, supplying fresh seafood to markets across Australia, and contributing to the region’s economy.

A Sustainable Harvest

The mud crab fishery in the Gulf of Carpentaria operates under strict management to ensure its long-term sustainability. Commercial fishers use baited pots to catch crabs in estuarine and coastal waters, targeting male crabs with a minimum carapace width of 15 cm to protect smaller crabs and breeding females. 

A male-only harvest policy, combined with a Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system introduced in September 2021, helps maintain healthy crab populations. Fishers must hold at least 1.2 tonnes of quota entitlement to operate, and vessel monitoring systems (VMS) ensure compliance with regulations.

Fishing in the Gulf

The fishery spans the tidal waters of the Gulf, where crabs thrive in mangrove-lined estuaries, tidal flats, and shallow coastal areas. Commercial fishers deploy up to 100 pots, each marked with a float bearing their vessel’s identification number. These pots are designed to minimize bycatch, and recent trials of escape vents have shown a 10-30% increase in legal-sized crab catches while reducing juvenile crab capture and post-harvest mortality. The fishery primarily targets giant mud crabs, with over 99% of the catch consisting of this species, known for its rich flavor and impressive size, often exceeding 2 kg.

Balancing Nature and Industry

The Queensland Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, works closely with fishers, scientists, and the community to protect the Gulf’s ecosystem. Recent reforms under the Sustainable Fisheries Strategy (2017–2027) include improved bycatch reporting and the introduction of a harvest strategy to adapt to environmental factors like rainfall and sea temperatures, which influence crab populations. 

Learn more about Queensland’s fisheries at www.daf.qld.gov.au.