Two abalone busts in five days in Batemans Bay
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Fisheries officers have claimed two victories in the battle against the illegal abalone market on the South Coast, following two busts since last Thursday.
A Canberra man could face charges relating to a bust involving 18 kilograms of shucked abalone on Monday (1.10.07), while three local men could face Batemans Bay Local Court on charges relating to a separate bust at Observation Point last Thursday (27.9.07).
The 56-year-old Canberra man was stopped by the Batemans Bay highway Patrol on the Princes Highway, and was allegedly found to have 234 shucked abalone in his possession.
The abalone were allegedly found hidden in the spare tyre cavity of the boot of his car. Most of them appeared to be fresh, indicating that they might have been recently taken from the water, while about 50 of the abalone were frozen.
A 60 kilogram capacity set of scales and a large sum of cash were also allegedly found in the car. DPI Fisheries Officers interviewed the man before he was released.
The 56 year old could face Batemans Bay Local Court charged with various offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, which carries penalties of up to $11,000 and/or three months gaol.
In a separate incident last Thursday (27th Sept), two men aged 31 and 32 years from Batemans Bay and a 25 year old Sydney man were questioned at Observation Point following a surveillance operation involving NSW DPI and local Police.
It is alleged that two of the men were diving for abalone, while the other man acted as a lookout.
The three were apprehended by DPI Fisheries Officers as they allegedly returned to their car with 86 abalone in their possession. The abalone were all returned live to the water.
The three men could be charged with offences under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, including possession of abalone over the legal limit, possession of prohibited sized abalone and providing false information.
These seizures occurred as a result of the ongoing cooperation between NSW DPI and NSW Police Force.
DPI is committed to stopping abalone theft and sales of abalone on the south coast of NSW in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of abalone in the area.
The Department of Primary Industries urges all members of the community who observe abalone poachers in action or who know of people involved in the illegal trade of abalone to contact the Fisher’s Watch Line on 1800 043 536 or your local Fisheries Officer. All information is received in confidence.
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