Fisheries Officers from NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Statewide Fisheries Operations and Investigations Unit last night apprehended five men twenty kilometres south of Bermagui in the Mimosa Rocks National Park.

The five men aged between 20 and 39 will face court charged with numerous offences related to alleged abalone theft.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said the men were apprehended at Aragunnu by DPI fisheries officers targeting illegal abalone activity on the South Coast of NSW.

"This was a strategic operation targeting groups of abalone thieves operating at remote locations," Minister Macdonald said.

"As a result of this operation a suspected illegal group was apprehended by fisheries officers with the assistance of NSW Police."

It is alleged that 227 shucked blacklip abalone and a large quantity of diving gear were found inside a van.

All five occupants of the van were arrested and transported to Bermagui Police Station.

Up to 23 separate charges are expected to be laid for offences under the Fisheries Management Act, including taking more than the daily limit, possession of more than the maximum permitted quantity of fish, possession of fish illegally taken, possession of prohibited size fish and possession of shucked abalone adjacent to waters.

The five men charged are expected to be summonsed to appear in Bega Local Court next month.

The seized abalone was valued at approximately $2,500.

"Only licensed commercial fishers with the appropriate endorsement are allowed to take abalone for sale in NSW waters," Mr Macdonald said.

"DPI deploys a wide range of strategic operational techniques to apprehend illegal abalone poaching syndicates. Offenders are prosecuted through Courts and face heavy fines and jail sentences.

"An abalone reward scheme provides payments of up to $1000 for supplying information to Fisheries officers that leads to a prosecution.

"Any information relating to illegal diving or fishing activities should be reported immediately to the nearest NSW DPI Fisheries office, or on the Fishers’ Watch phone line on 1800 043 536."

Media contact: Jason Bartlett, 0438 209 281 or Brett Fifield, 0427 029 511