Perth courts impose significant fines for black market seafood purchases

Two major black market seafood compliance operations undertaken by the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have resulted in hefty fines handed down in Perth courts this month. The DPIRD said the penalties serve as an important reminder to only purchase seafood through retail outlets or from commercial fishers who are licensed to sell direct to the public.

Operation Fieldbush resulted in a 33-year-old woman from Clarkson, a 37-year-old man from Quinns and a 49-year-old man from Madeley being found guilty of the illegal sale or purchase of recreationally caught western rock lobster. The trio received combined fines of $14,000, $55,500, and $24,000 respectively. The court heard the offences occurred in 2019 and 2020 when DPIRD officers observed the illegal sale and purchase of more than 100 western rock lobster on multiple occasions.

In addition, the court imposed a range of orders on the man from Quinns. These include the suspension of his recreational fishing licence for a period of five years, a prohibition on him being in possession of recreationally caught western rock lobster for five years, and prohibiting him from being on a boat being used for any fishing for six months.

Operation Deepwolf has also concluded with a 64-year-old woman from Canning Vale being fined a total of $69,000 plus $3,000 in costs after pleading guilty to four charges related to the purchase of black market western rock lobster and greenlip abalone. Her recreational fishing licence was also suspended by the court for three years. As heard in court, officers from the DPIRD observed the offender illegally dealing with 10 western rock lobster and over 200 greenlip abalone on three separate occasions in April and May 2021.

The rules relating to abalone and western rock lobster fishing are available in the Recreational Fishing Guide from www.fish.gov.au. Anyone who suspects the sale or purchase of seafood from a black-market source, is encouraged to report it.