Operation Turbo Reef's shameful haul

On-the-spot fines totalling $31,000 have been issued to groups of unscrupulous people razing the reefs and picking over the estuary mudflats around Sydney.

A trained brigade of fisheries officers found scores of people committing serious fisheries offences across the Sydney area on the Australia Day long weekend.

Working in plain clothes and uniform, the 14 Fisheries Officers stepped-up their ongoing Operation Turbo Reef crackdown over the three days, The brave officers targeted headlands, intertidal protected areas and aquatic reserves where the razer gangs have been active.

Shockingly, a total of 200 offences were detected, with more than 5300 fish and invertebrates seized in the massive operation. Such crimes are beyond the scope of your average rec fisher and raise the possibility of serious black market operations. Are our seafood dumplings at yum cha safe?

At the very least, some of the crimes are perplexing. For example, two people were caught in the recreational fishing haven of Botany Bay with 1110 whelks and 1378 soldier crabs in their possession.

What do people do with soldier crabs? The odd one will catch you a bream but more than 1000 is just bewildering. As for the whelks, we presume they are boiled and eaten. Or turned into something else.

In separate incidents detected by Fisheries officers:
>> 2 people were found in Botany Bay, near Kurnell, with 1110 whelks and 1378 soldier crabs in their possession;
>> 2 people were found at on the foreshore of King George Park, Rozelle, with 403 cockles in their possession; and
>> 1 person was found on the Georges River, near Oatley, with 16 prohibited size yellowfin bream and 9 prohibited tailor in their possession.

Intertidal protected areas and aquatic reserves are closed to the collecting of invertebrates to protect marine life and conserve important habitat and nursery areas for protected species, and are valuable areas for research and education.

Sydney Harbour is also closed to the taking of all shellfish due to the elevated levels of dioxins that pose a health risk. There have been repeat offenders taking shellfish in Sydney Harbour in the heavily polluted areas west of the Harbour Bridge.

Recidivists have been caught picking over Sydney's mud banks, headlands, bays, and estuaries. Much to the distress of your average caring angler, this coastal abuse has been happening for years. Reports in local papers often make the Letter's pages, but authorities have been slow to act.

So it's great news that these 'locusts' are finally being stopped in their tracks. Everyone on and around the waterways needs to report this shocking behaviour. Our coastal riches and lifestyle are promoted as key attractions to the rest of the world.

Fishers are reminded that if they wish to collect invertebrates, they must ensure that they are doing so in an area that is open to collecting, pay the recreational fishing fee unless exempt and stick to strict bag and size limits. Heavy penalties apply for breaches of fisheries rules.

With seafood prices shooting through the roof, the black-market industry is heating up. Of late, there have been huge abalone syndicate busts involving organised crime syndicates in Victoria, widespread crab thieves nabbed in cross-border busts, and one can only assume there's a bit of underground harvesting going on around Sydney, with previous crackdowns leading to thousands of shellfish being found poached from the toxic upper harbour.

To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call Fishers Watch on 1800 043 536 or report it using the online Report Illegal Fishing Form.

Fourth photo of South Korean shellfish market by backpacking blogger Shane Hawke.