Second abalone operation for Peninsula
Thursday, 19 December 2002

Six men will be charged with various fisheries offences following a second joint Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) and SAPOL operation on Yorke Peninsula.

The men, two from Adelaide, two from Point Pearce, one from Port Victoria and one from Wallaroo were observed diving for abalone on Saturday 14 December at Renowden Rocks south of Port Victoria.

Last weekend’s operation followed the reporting of three other men for similar offences in November (2002). In that instance, the search of a vehicle by fisheries officers uncovered two hundred and fifty greenlip abalone weighing a total of 33 kilograms.

General Manager Fisheries Services, Mark Lewis said information gathered from various sources has resulted in a concentration of fisheries enforcement effort in this region.

“We will continue to target our resources wherever it is necessary to ensure we send the right message to those who look to profit from the illegal taking of abalone,” he said.

Penalties for this type of offence can include a maximum fine of $60,000 and/or two years jail plus an additional penalty of five times the commercial value of the catch to a maximum of $30,000.

Investigations are continuing.