Operation to crack down on illegal seafood sales

OPERATION Trident has been launched to help authorities crack down on illegal seafood sales during the Christmas holidays.

Ballina, Byron Bay and Tweed are among the target areas with the initiative aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring the safety and sustainability of seafood.

The operation will be in full swing across the state with a focus on the peak holiday dates.

It is a joint initiative between The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and NSW Police.

Deputy secretary of the fisheries and forestry Sean Sloan said officers will be conducting a targeted crackdown.

“The holiday season sees a significant rise in seafood consumption, but unfortunately, it also leads to an increase in illegal seafood trading”, Mr Sloan said.

“Operation Trident, now in its 17th consecutive year, is designed to combat the illegal harvesting and trade of seafood across NSW, especially as demand for oysters and other seafood soars during Christmas and New Year.

“The joint operation involves both covert and overt patrols, in order to disrupt the black-market trade, prevent oyster theft, and protect consumers from potentially unsafe or illegal produce.”

The penalties for involvement in the black-market seafood trade include fines of up to $275,000 and prison time for both buyers and sellers.

NSW Police, state rural crime coordinator, detective chief inspector Cameron Whiteside said there has been an increase in oyster thefts in the lead up to the holiday period.

“Rural crime investigators are undertaking operations across NSW, in order to detect and deter oyster theft and protect consumers against potentially unsafe black-market produce”, Mr Whiteside said.

The public are urged to report illegal or suspected illegal fishing activities to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536 or make an online report.

Anyone with information on marine-related crimes should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use its online reporting page at police.nsw.gov.au.