Fisheries Officers prevent abalone reaching black market
Friday 11 January, 2008
A joint operation involving Fisheries and SAPOL Officers targeting illegal abalone sales has resulted in the arrest of two men and the seizure of a quantity of abalone destined for the black market.
On Wednesday 9 January, as part of an ongoing covert operation, Fisheries Officers observed suspected illegal fishing activity at a location on the western side of Yorke Peninsula.
Supported by Police, officers followed a vehicle to a residential premises at Findon.
With the aid of a search warrant, officers seized approximately 34 kilograms of abalone, along with a vessel, vehicle and weighing scales. As a result, two men, one aged 50 from Findon and another aged 34 from Stansbury were arrested.
The men face charges including unauthorised trafficking in fish of a priority species, possessing undersize abalone and selling abalone without a licence/registration.
PIRSA Fisheries, Manager Special Operations, Mr Rob Parkes said Fisheries Officers would continue to target high level, recidivist offenders whose illegal activities had the potential to significantly impact on the long-term health of abalone stocks across South Australia.
“Our cause is supported by the recently introduced Fisheries Management Act. This new Act provides courts with the power to invoke substantially higher fines than previously available,“ he said.
“Under the new Act, penalties for these types of abalone related offences could include a maximum $100,000 fine or four years imprisonment.
“The Court can also impose an additional penalty of five (5) times the wholesale value of the seized abalone.”
As a result of the ongoing investigation, further charges against other persons may be laid.
