Adam David Robertson from Scamander was convicted on 6 April 2016 with three offences for the taking, possession and sale of the controlled fish Cherax destructor, commonly known as mainland yabbies.

Mr Robertson plead guilty to all three charges and was fined $1000 plus $68 in court costs.

Mr Robertson caught the fish from a dam near Scamander and placed an advertisement in a local supermarket stating ‘Good for trout bait’ and ‘stock your dam’. Obviously this was of major concern to Inland Fisheries Officers who acted promptly and seized the 70 alive Yabbies from Mr Robertson’s premises. Luckily no sales had been made.

Mainland Yabbies, along with all controlled fish listed under the Inland Fisheries (Controlled Fish) Order 2007 pose a significant threat to Tasmania’s freshwater environment.

These yabbies which have been introduced illegally into Tasmania have the potential to impact on aquatic ecosystems through modification of natural habitats, direct predation, competition with native species and introduction of diseases. Once populations have become established, eradication is almost impossible.

The harsh penalties imposed serve as a reminder about the seriousness of possessing controlled fish and transferring fish between different waterways in the state.

The Inland Fisheries Service requests that any information relating to the possession of controlled fish, the transfer of fish around the states waters, or any other illegal activities be reported as soon as possible to Stephen Hepworth, Manager (Compliance and Operations) on 0438 338 530.