February 15, 2010
The State and Federal Governments are being urged to fund additional research and develop control strategies to overcome a plague of crabs which is invading the Gippsland Lakes.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the European Green Shore Crab was recognised as an invasive and noxious species which could have severe impacts on the Gippsland Lakes commercial fishing industry, along with recreational angling and the tourism sector.
“The crabs are regarded as a serious threat to the environment and they are officially recognised as ‘noxious’ in several states including New South Wales and South Australia,” Mr Chester said.
“I understand that Fisheries Victoria is planning to list the species as noxious in our state and I’ve sought information from the State and Federal Ministers for Agriculture regarding any research that has been undertaken and possible control measures that can be implemented.
“Ironically, a commercial fisherman in Lakes Entrance was harvesting the crabs last year but the transportation of live crabs to the Sydney market was banned and the trade collapsed. The crabs were highly sought after by restaurants but the NSW government ban put an end to the trade.
“I’ve sought assistance from the Victorian Government on the fisherman’s behalf to help establish a viable market in Melbourne.
“I suspect that one of the keys to controlling the crabs is to establish a viable trade so they are harvested on a large scale.”
Mr Chester said the invasive nature of the crabs had been recognised by governments as they were regarded as voracious feeders and already existed in large numbers in the lakes.
“One commercial fisherman trapped 15 tonnes of the crabs in a single month last year which were sold in the Sydney markets but once the ban was enforced, the trade ceased,” Mr Chester said.
“It is disappointing that the State Government has cut funding to the Gippsland Lakes Taskforce and now it needs to work with the Federal Government to undertake research into the crabs and implement control measures immediately.”