A recent episode of the Seven Network’s Aussie Salvage Squad, featuring Busselton, Western Australia-based salvage specialists Geographe Marine Salvage and Rescue, showed one of the crew members using an unregistered crab pot to catch female mud crabs at Airlie Beach, which were later cooked up and fed to the crew.

Fisheries Queensland took punitive action against the crew after the TV show’s viewers contacted the department to complain about the breach.

Under Queensland’s recreational fishing laws, it is illegal to take female mud crabs. However, under WA’s laws, mud crabs are regulated by size, bag and boat limits.

After interviewing the team, Fisheries Queensland issued one of the crew’s members with infringements for using an unmarked crab pot, and taking or possessing female mud crabs, carrying a total fine of $756.

Another crew member was handed a caution for their role in helping to catch the mud crabs.