Sting catches out black market fishing operation in Brisbane

A black market fishing operation in Brisbane has been exposed, with four men fined more than $30,000.

The operation, involving the catch and unlawful sale of female and undersized blue swimmer crabs around the Brisbane area, was uncovered by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol in April.

A major sting by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) has uncovered unlawful black-market fishing activities in Brisbane.

Two commercial fishers appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court in April, charged with 59 offences and fined $29,190.

The charges related to the unlawful selling of female and undersized blue swimmer crabs and failing to comply with requirements to keep sale documents for wholesale transactions.

Another two men were fined $6500 for selling the unlawful blue swimmer crabs and failing to keep sale dockets for wholesale transactions.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the charges were a reminder all commercial fishers had obligations to meet when they took fishery resources.

“Any failure to meet these obligations diminishes community confidence in the commercial access of such vital species,” Mr Furner said.

“There is real potential for black market activities to affect the viability of commercial fishing, negatively impact on legitimate seafood businesses and lead to unsustainable fishing practices.”