Christmas crackdown on crab and oyster theft

Fisheries officers on the North Coast are conducting a crackdown to stop crab and oyster theft over the Christmas holiday period, with assistance from the NSW Police Force and Macleay River commercial fishers and oyster farmers.

Department of Primary Industries Director of Fisheries Compliance, Glenn Tritton, said the targeting of high risk locations should lead to an increase in the number of offenders being caught.

"The use of new surveillance technology is helping fisheries officers identify offenders involved in the theft of oysters and other illegal activity," Mr Tritton said.

"This has already led to a number of successful apprehensions in the Macleay."

Chairman of the Macleay River Fish Co-op, Lawrie McEnally, said each year there was an increase in crab and oyster theft leading up to Christmas.

"These thefts are driven by people trying to make money selling blackmarket seafood for Christmas," Mr McEnally said.

"What they are really doing is stealing from legitimate fishers and oyster farmers."

Senior Constable Daniel Duckworth from Kempsey Police Rural Crime said that police take the theft of crabs and oysters seriously and will prosecute offenders that are identified.

"There will be extra patrols of boat ramps and known targeted areas in an attempt to curb thefts," Senior Constable Duckworth said.

"Having to make a court appearance for stealing crabs or oysters is not trivial and this type of crime has a serious impact on our hard working oyster farmers and commercial fishers.

"The end result is serious, you could be heavily fined and have a criminal record.

"This is not a game and we are working hard to make life tough for these people."

Mr Tritton said patrols would be undertaken by officers day and night in the lead up to Christmas and would continue throughout the holiday period.

"We are working with Police, with assistance from local fishers and oyster growers," Mr Tritton said.

"This program has already yielded some good results. Fisheries officers will continue to take strong action against those breaking the law.

"Don’t think stealing a couple of crabs or a few oysters is trivial. We take all theft seriously, so if you offend, you will find yourself in hot water."

Email: