More than 3000 shellfish seized in Sydney Harbour

DPI Fisheries officers were recently patrolling Henley Marine Drive, Russell Lea, in upper Sydney Harbour when they observed two men on the mud flats with large buckets beside them. Officers spoke to the pair and found numerous shellfish the men had collected.

Police from Burwood Local Area Command provided assistance and a search of a nearby vehicle located eight buckets, a wheelbarrow and two large tubs full of shellfish.

In total, 1844 cockles, 1328 oysters, eight tapestry shells and four other marine snails were located and seized. Being filter feeders in a heavily polluted section of the harbour means these marine critters could well be toxic. The good news is that these creatures appear to be thriving.

The men, which we assume were of foreign extraction, were formally interviewed by fisheries officers and will be issued with court attendance notices.

But this isn't the first time the mudlarks have been caught razing upper Sydney Harbour of toxic shellfish.

In 2012, Fisheries Officers found a number of persons collecting cockles to eat from Iron Cove, an area that is closed to all shellfish gathering. Officers seized over 3200 invertebrates during these previous patrols, including 1225 cockles and 1293 mud whelks.

DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Patrick Tully, said the collection of seashore animals in the prohibited area could result in large fines.

"All tidal waters of Port Jackson and its tributaries are closed to the collecting of molluscs, such as cockles and oysters as well as other lesser known species," Mr Tully said.

"Intertidal protected areas were established around Sydney to minimise threats and ensure the sustainability of rocky shore animals and plants.

"Collecting seashore animals is strictly prohibited in these closures. This includes crabs, snails, cunjevoi, octopus, sea urchins, anemones, pipis, cockles, mussels, oysters and nippers.

"Breaches of the fisheries legislation are regarded as serious offences and can attract large fines."

Fisheries officers have the power to seize items connected to fisheries offences including boats, vehicles and fishing equipment.

The Fisheries Management Act 1994 and Fisheries Management (General) Regulation 2010, prohibits the taking of any species of shellfish from the whole of the tidal waters of Port Jackson and its tributaries.

A person who takes fish from waters declared can be fined up to $22,000 and face six months imprisonment.

For more information please visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/closures/ipa.