Boats seized, mud crabs freed in seafood sting
Andrew Stafford |
Boats have been seized and mud crabs freed in a crackdown on black market seafood trafficking.
Three boats will be destroyed after successful prosecutions involving illegal seafood trafficking in Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Two offenders were caught by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers selling seafood outside the state’s commercial fishing system.
A Russell Island man was fined $10,000 for black market sales of mud crabs, king threadfin salmon and mulloway.
Officers also located 139 protected bivalve molluscs and an undersized mud crab in the Russell Island man’s possession.
The man was ordered to forfeit the vessel and associated equipment.
It follows two other successful prosecutions of illegal seafood harvesting in southeast Queensland, with all three forfeited vessels to be crushed.
Officers executed a search warrant and seized his vessel, trailer, outboard motor and marine electronics.
Deputy Director-General Fisheries and Forestry Pauline Jacob said the offenders weren’t simply catching a few extra fish for dinner.
“They were profiting from Queensland’s fisheries resources through ongoing illegal seafood sales that undermine honest commercial fishers and legitimate seafood businesses,” she said.
She said licensed commercial fishers invest heavily to meet strict licensing, sustainability and food safety requirements.
“Black market operators avoid those costs while undercutting businesses that do the right thing,” she said. “Queenslanders deserve confidence that the seafood they buy has been legally harvested, responsibly managed and supplied through legitimate businesses.”
Superintendent David French said the QPS had zero tolerance for illegal activity on the water.
“Strong partnerships between Queensland agencies ensure we can disrupt unlawful operations, protect our communities, and hold offenders accountable,” Supt French said.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing or black-market seafood sales is encouraged to contact Fishwatch on 1800 017 116.
AAP