Prison for abalone poachers
NSW DPI gets tougher and more sophisticatedWith the winter abalone dive season underway, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) fisheries officers have been out in force, using modern surveillance methods to target illegal abalone trafficking.
DPI Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said abalone thieves face significant penalties including prison sentences if they are caught.
"Fisheries officers will be out in force, working with NSW Police, targeting potential thieves from the sea to the seafood outlets across the State," Mr Tritton said.
"We know abalone thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they operate, using a range of techniques to avoid apprehension to illegally take this valuable resource."
"This winter fisheries officers are using covert surveillance, utilising the latest technology to apprehend anyone involved in abalone theft, and we’ll be stepping up our targeted inspections in the marketplace where abalone is sold."
Mr Tritton said recent convictions for abalone trafficking as well as a number successful surveillance operations are helping drive down illegal activity.
Legislation introduced in 2010 has also helped with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for anyone convicted for trafficking abalone.
In a recent operation on the NSW south coast, two men were sentenced to prison for abalone poaching. During the operation, 70 abalone were seized and then returned to the water alive.
In a seperate operation, a 37-year-old female from Albion Park will face a range of charges under the Fisheries Management Act where it will be alleged she was involved in abalone trafficking. Some of the seized items included 185 abalone (an indictable quantity), a chest freezer and scales. A 23-year-old Shellharbour man will also face fisheries charges as a result of the operation for his alleged involvement in the illegal possession and sale of abalone.
"Some of the recent convictions for abalone trafficking in NSW are amongst the toughest fisheries penalties handed down in Australia which helps deter other potential offenders from entering the water to fish illegally for abalone."
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing is urged to contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536; or lodge an information report through the DPI website: www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au
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