Three boats used in illegal seafood operations across south-east Queensland are set to be crushed, as authorities ramp up their crackdown on the black-market trade.
The vessels were forfeited to the state following three separate Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol investigations on Russell Island, the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.
In the latest case, a Russell Island man was fined $10,000 after officers uncovered the illegal sale of mud crabs, king threadfin salmon and mulloway without the required commercial authority.
All three boats seized across the investigations will now be permanently destroyed.
PHOTO: Supplied
Deputy Director-General Fisheries and Forestry Pauline Jacob said the action should serve as a warning to anyone considering profiting from Queensland’s fisheries illegally.
“These offenders weren’t simply catching a few extra fish. They were profiting from Queensland’s fisheries resources through ongoing illegal seafood sales that undermine honest commercial fishers and legitimate seafood businesses,” Ms Jacob said.
“Queenslanders deserve confidence that the seafood they buy has been legally harvested, responsibly managed and supplied through legitimate businesses.”
Queensland Police are continuing to work alongside fisheries officers to target illegal activity on the state’s waterways.
Superintendent David French said authorities had “zero tolerance for illegal activity on the water”, adding strong partnerships between agencies helped “disrupt unlawful operations, protect our communities, and hold offenders accountable”.
