Man hiding up tree faces a charge of trafficking

Fisheries Officers near Bermagui on the NSW Far South Coast in Australia have apprehended a 36-year-old man from Bateman’s Bay up a tree during a compliance operation targeting an illegal abalone syndicate.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Fisheries Compliance Director, Glenn Tritton, said, “Members of the Statewide Operations and Investigation Group, with assistance from Montague district Fisheries Officers, apprehended the man following a period of surveillance.” 

Blacklip abalone ( Haliotis rubra ), still alive, harvested from the south coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Scale: shell length = 12.3 cm. Due to over-harvesting, abalone are subject to a strict bag limit of two in NSW (with a fishing licence), and may only be taken if over 11.7 cm. Français : Ormeaux (Haliotis rubra) (Hauteur = 12.3 cm) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“When approached in bushland, the man attempted to avoid detection and was located hiding up in a tree. It is alleged that he was in possession of 161 shucked Blacklip abalone, 159 more than the legal limit of two per person in NSW."

He faces a charge of trafficking in an indictable fish species, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 year imprisonment.

Media contact: Alyssa Fitzgerald + 61(02) 6391 3686 or 0459 141 56

This blog is written by staff at International Aquafeed Magazine which is published and supported by Perendale Publishers Limited. To get your copy of PPL's web application, 'PPLAPP' click here.

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