Thieves caught in operation targeting blackmarket abalone industry
An operation targeting blackmarket abalone receivers has netted two more offenders who were fined more than $7000 for their role in the illegal trade, Industry & Investment NSW Special Operations Manager, Tony Andrews, said today.
"The operation conducted in July 2007, targeted illegal abalone receivers in Sydney who purchased abalone allegedly taken by abalone syndicates on the NSW coast," Mr Andrews said.
"The men, aged 64 and 37 from Heathcote were caught by Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW Fisheries Officers from the Statewide Operations and Investigations Group, who conducted inspections on commercial premises as well on residential premises under the authority of search warrants.
"The men were found to be in possession of 49 shucked (shelled) blacklip abalone.
"They were charged with possessing more than the bag limit of abalone and failing to produce a prescribed record for fish.
"They both pleaded guilty in Sutherland Local Court in September, receiving more than $7000 in fines."
Over 1000 abalone in total were seized during the operation, including 982 from a home in Baulkham Hills.
In August, a 39 year old woman was fined $9,500 for her role in the blackmarket abalone industry.
The legal possession limit for abalone in NSW is two per person and they can only be taken from waters open to abalone collection.
The minimum prescribed legal length for abalone in NSW is 11.7cm.
"Possession limits are in place to encourage responsible fishing, reduce the chance of over fishing and to ensure stocks remain at a suitable level for future harvest," Mr Andrews said.
"People who take prohibited size abalone and exceed the bag limit, have the potential to destroy the commercial and recreational abalone fisheries in NSW.
"These fines should serve as a warning to the blackmarket seafood trade, that illegal abalone receivers will continue to be targeted by fisheries officers from I&I NSWs Statewide Operations and Investigations Group."
Rewards are offered for information leading to a conviction of illegal abalone receivers and divers. Information can be provided direct to the abalone compliance group of 64998000.
Further reading
Blacklip abalone Haliotis rubra
Recreational fishing rules and regulations
Media contact: Sarah McGregor 0427 075 167