Three boats used in illegal black-market seafood operations across south-east Queensland have been permanently destroyed following successful Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) investigations, delivering a strong warning to anyone profiting illegally from Queensland’s fisheries resources.
An offender pictured undertaking illegal fishing activity in Queensland waters.
The vessel forfeitures follow three separate prosecutions involving illegal seafood trafficking on Russell Island, the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, with two offenders caught selling seafood outside Queensland’s regulated commercial fishing system.
In the most recent matter, a Russell Island man was fined $10,000 after QBFP officers uncovered an illegal seafood operation involving the sale of mud crabs, king threadfin salmon and mulloway taken from Queensland waters without the required commercial authority.
The defendant was found to have been selling seafood to members of the Redlands community at prices well below those charged by legitimate retailers.
Following targeted surveillance, officers executed a search warrant and seized the vessel, trailer, outboard motor and marine electronics that had been used for the black-market activity.
During their search, officers also located 139 protected bivalve molluscs and an undersized mud crab in the Russell Island man’s possession.
The offender was subsequently ordered to forfeit his vessel and associated equipment to the state.
The Russell Island prosecution follows two other successful QBFP investigations where vessels were used in illegal, unreported and unregulated seafood activity on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.
All three forfeited vessels are now scheduled to be crushed, ensuring they can never again be used to commit fisheries offences.
Deputy Director-General Fisheries and Forestry Pauline Jacob said these penalties were about sending a very clear message: if you use your boat to break the law, you risk losing it.
“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.
“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.
Mud crabs seized from an offender’s property during a search warrant.
“Queenslanders deserve confidence that the seafood they buy has been legally harvested, responsibly managed and supplied through legitimate businesses operating under Australia’s high standards.”
Working alongside the Queensland Police Service (QPS), QBFP continues to target illegal seafood trafficking through coordinated enforcement action, removing the vessels and assets used to commit offences.
Specialist Services Group Superintendent David French said the QPS was committed to playing a role in targeting illegal activity on Queensland 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,” he said.
“Strong partnerships between Queensland agencies ensure we can disrupt unlawful operations, protect our communities, and hold offenders accountable,” Supt. French said.
For more information, visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au
