Illawarra retailer facing charges of selling endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna

14 Sep 2016

An Illawarra seafood retailer and a local recreational fisherman are potentially facing prosecution for the alleged black-market trading of endangered Southern Bluefin Tuna.

The two tuna, estimated at over 75kg each and valued domestically at up to $2000 each, were found at the premises of the IIlawarra seafood shop. At the time of the inspection by Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries officers the tuna were allegedly being processed for sale.

The officers seized 112 kilograms of processed Southern Bluefin Tuna during the inspection and investigations continue into the manager of the seafood shop and the recreational fisherman who allegedly sold the fish.

The manager will potentially face charges of buying a threatened species and failing to obtain fish records, while the recreational fisherman faces charges for selling an endangered species to the shop.

DPI Acting Senior Fisheries Investigator Matt Cartwright said the Southern Bluefin Tuna is a highly migratory pelagic fish that is listed as an endangered species under the Fisheries Management Act 1994.

“Overfishing in the past has reduced their numbers and currently a possession limit and daily bag limit of one fish per person is in place for recreational fishers in NSW,” he said.

“In recent months, favourable currents and weather conditions have led to an increase in recreational anglers targeting high value tuna species off the Illawarra coastline.

“To ensure compliance with fishing regulations, DPI Fisheries have been conducting investigations into the black-marketing of tuna species such as Albacore, Yellowfin Tuna and Southern Bluefin Tuna to Illawarra seafood outlets.”

Mr Cartwright said the current case of the alleged black-market trade of Southern Bluefin Tuna in the Illawarra area highlights two very important breaches.

“Firstly, it is unlawful for anyone to sell any recreationally-caught fish to a seafood retailer or any other person; this includes bartering and exchange of fish for other things.”

“Secondly, only endorsed Commonwealth commercial fishers can catch and sell Southern Bluefin Tuna for sale in Australia. The Southern Bluefin Tuna Fishery is a quota managed fishery and the commercial catch is closely monitored by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.”

Report illegal activity

Anyone with information on illegal fishing activity is urged to contact their local DPI Fisheries Office or call the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.

Alternatively, Report illegal activity online.

Media contact: Phil Bevan on 6391 3686 or 0419 602 508