A 53-year-old-man will be summonsed by Water Police after protected sawfish and undersized mud crabs were seized in the Blue Mud Bay area.

Senior Sergeant James O’Brien, Officer in Charge of Water Police, said they made the discovery while patrolling the remote region on 25 August.

“Police inspected the man’s commercial fishing vessel and found five rostrums from the protected sawfish species, along with 12 commercially unsuitable female crabs and five undersized male crabs,” Senior Sergeant O’Brien said.

“Police seized the five sawfish rostrums and released the 17 mud crabs.

“Further enquiries revealed the professional fishing vessel was unregistered to the operation.

“Water Police will continue to conduct regular checks on commercial operators across the Territory’s waterways.

“It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure they are working within the law.”

The alleged offender will be summonsed to appear in court to face charges of:

• Possess protected species
• Possess commercially unsuitable mud crab
• Possess undersized mud crab
• Unregistered fishing vessel

Media Note: Please attribute the attached image to NT Police

Media Contact: Danielle Lede (08) 8985 8837