Police crime squad cracks down on oyster theft

The Queensland Police have moved in to prevent the rampant theft of oysters from the leases in Moreton Bay following numerous complaints from growers.

Over the past few years, officers have received reports from growers of thousands of oysters having been stolen from areas from North Stradbroke Island to Myora Bay to Deanbilla Bay.

Police believe the offenders are selling the oysters, costing local growers well over $30,000 a year, they claim, as it takes an oyster spat (oyster larvae that permanently attaches to a surface) between five and seven years to mature.

As a result, Redland Bay and Brisbane Water Police officers have increased their presence in the area with a focus on the locations of oyster leases, which are well signed, posted and marked out along with warning signs.

Officers, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, executed four search warrants at Dunwich, October 27, 2016 where piles of oyster shells were located in a public space opposite the addresses.

The shells were identified as being caught or cultivated oysters that would have come from a lease.

Officers also discovered a stolen boat, which had been used to commit the offences.

THE LAW AND OYSTERS
There are rules for taking oysters in Queensland. They are quite different to other states and prevent you from taking oyster home to eat.

Of course, taking oysters from or interfering with aquaculture infrastructure and licensed oyster grounds is illegal and carries heavy penalties.

All oyster beds outside of marked licensed areas are classed as public. However, oysters from public grounds can be collected but not taken from the grounds. They must be consumed on-the-spot.

A fisher who removed oysters at Woody Point and did not eat them on the spot was fined $487 earlier this year. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers have returned hundreds of oysters to the water in the area in recent weeks, it claimed online.

THE CRACK CRIME SQUAD
Capalaba Tactical Crime Squad Senior Constable Steve Ackroyd said the large numbers of people that use the waterways both recreationally and commercially can provide assistance.

"If members of the public notice a vessel near a lease, take notice of the registration," Senior Constable Ackroyd said.

"Boats that have the letter ‘J’ preceding their vessel registration are designated oyster lease boats and are the only vessels allowed within these areas.

"If you see a vessel or person you think should not be in these areas, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, Policelink on 131444, or call your nearest police station."

The theft of oysters from a lease is an offence and police can charge offenders with stealing under the criminal code.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has the ability to give on the spot fines of $1261 for ‘interfering with a commercial lease’.

More about Oyster farming in Queensland.