A RUSSELL Island man has been fined $10,000 and ordered to forfeit his boat and fishing equipment after authorities uncovered an illegal seafood operation supplying members of the Redlands community.
Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers allege the man sold mud crabs, king threadfin salmon and mulloway taken from Queensland waters without the commercial authority required to legally sell seafood.
Authorities said the seafood was sold at prices well below those charged by legitimate retailers, undercutting licensed commercial fishers and businesses operating within Queensland’s regulated seafood system.
Following targeted surveillance, officers executed a search warrant and seized the man’s vessel, trailer, outboard motor and marine electronics, which were alleged to have been used in the black-market operation.
Officers also found 139 protected bivalve molluscs and an undersized mud crab in the man’s possession.
The vessel and associated equipment were forfeited to the State and are now among three boats from separate South East Queensland prosecutions scheduled to be permanently destroyed.
The Russell Island matter followed successful investigations into illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood activity on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.
Two of the three offenders were caught selling seafood outside Queensland’s regulated commercial fishing system.
Queensland Fisheries and Forestry Deputy Director-General Pauline Jacob said the forfeitures sent a clear warning to anyone using vessels to profit from illegal seafood sales.
“These offenders weren’t simply catching a few extra fish,” Ms Jacob said.
“They were profiting from Queensland’s fisheries resources through ongoing illegal seafood sales that undermine honest commercial fishers and legitimate seafood businesses.
“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.”
Ms Jacob said consumers deserved confidence that seafood had been legally harvested, responsibly managed and supplied through legitimate businesses.
Queensland Police Service Specialist Services Group Superintendent David French said police would continue working with fisheries officers to remove assets used in unlawful activity on waterways.
“We have zero tolerance for illegal activity on the water and are committed to working alongside DPI, in a coordinated and targeted effort to remove assets used to facilitate criminal activity,” Supt French said.
“Strong partnerships between Queensland agencies ensure we can disrupt unlawful operations.”
Anyone with information about illegal fishing or suspected black-market seafood sales can contact Fishwatch on 1800 017 116.
