Spanner crab, also known as frog crab, Ranina ranina

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Fishnote on Spanner Crabs

Commercial spanner crab catch. Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

The management of the fishery was one of the first judged ecologically sustainable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act by the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) in 2001.

Queensland’s commercial spanner crab fishery grew exponentially up to about 1994, with the establishment of a live-export market to Asian countries such as Taiwan. However, the majority of the fishery is in southern Queensland and catch in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area has dropped over the last six years. The fishery was one of the first to meet the Commonwealth Government’s criteria for ecologically sustainable fisheries (Williams 2002).

Levels of bycatch and interaction with threatened species, ecological communities and the broader marine ecosystem, are not considered a major risk for the fishery at current levels. Current bycatch levels are very low and interaction with threatened species and ecological communities is minimal. The combination of gear type, fishing operation and lack of interaction with the marine environment beyond the target species makes risk of impact on the broader ecosystem very low.

(Assessment report of the Queensland Spanner Crab Fishery, Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage, 2001)

Tonnes: 511
Boats: 49
Days: 1,695
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

$1,787,500
Data extracted from http://chrisweb.dpi.qld.gov.au 30 June 2004, with permission of Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Unknown

Harvested from sandy-bottomed tidal areas mainly in southern Queensland from the New South Wales border to Rockhampton. Only about 5 percent of Queensland 's spanner crab catch comes from within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

A variety of crab pots, collapsible traps, dillies (baited tangle nets) and nets are used. For more information see the Commercial Crab Fisheries in Queensland by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Spanner crab fisheries are legislated for under the Fisheries (Spanner Crab) Management Plan 1999.

Area: Spanner crabs can be taken from all tidal areas except no take zones as specified by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and waters closed to fishing by Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F). There are two management areas for commercial fishing of spanner crabs:

• Managed area A is south of Rockhampton to the New South Wales border. The annual quota for spanner crabs in this area is 1,727 tonnes which may change in response to changes in stock abundance. Individual transferable quotas are issued to commercial fishers. No more than 45 dillies may be used at one time in this area.
• In Managed area B, which comprises all Queensland waters north of Rockhampton, only 30 dillies may be used at a time. The daily quota for fishers in this area is 16 containers of spanner crabs (approx 480 crabs).

Recreational fishers may use up to four pots or dillies per person.

Seasonal closure: Throughout Queensland a closed season applies for spanner crabs from 20 November to 20 December.

Gender: Egg-bearing female crabs may not be taken.

Size: A minimum size of 10cm across the carapace applies.

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) monitors and assesses the sustainability of spanner crab stock as part of its Long-term Monitoring Program.

Other research projects conducted by QDPI&F are evaluating spanner crab monitoring and assessment methods in conjunction with NSW fisheries managers.

Spanner crab (Ranina ranina) stock assessment and TAC-setting review for the quota period 1/6/04 - 31/5/06 Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

Williams LE. (ed). 2002. Queensland's Fisheries Resources. Current Condition and Recent Trends 1988-2000. Queensland Department of Primary industries, Brisbane.