Police investigate South Coast oyster thefts in high visibility operation

Police under Strike Force Trident have dived into an operation targeting South Coast oyster thefts, and won’t come up for air until the mollusc marauders are caught.

Police under Strike Force Trident have dived into an operation targeting South Coast oyster thefts, and won’t come up for air until the mollusc marauders are caught.

The taskforce was created as a joint operation between NSW Police and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSWDPI) to target the theft and illegal trade of oysters from Batemans Bay to Eden on the state’s pristine Sapphire Coast – famed for its seafood.

Running Wednesday and Thursday, the taskforce held a two-day, high-visibility operation, which Rural Crime Prevention Team Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said was a “success”.

“NSW Police is pleased with the results of this high-visibility operation, with important information gathered to continue our investigations into the alleged theft of oysters within the South Coast Police District,” he said.

“We know this operation has already started important conversations in the industry and provided greater awareness to the threat of oyster theft.”

Police investigated oyster leases from Batemans Bay to Eden. Picture: NSW Police

The two-day operation was launched after reports of thefts around Narooma, Bermagui and Merimbula over recent months – with an estimated loss of tens of thousands of dollars.

The thefts involved juvenile to ready-to-consume oysters.

Police investigated oyster thefts across the South Coast. Picture: NSW Police

Rural Crime Prevention Team Officers worked with officers attached to Marine Area Command to search leases in Wagonga Inlet, Narooma and Merimbula Lake.

During the two-day operation, 32 oyster lease and business inspections were conducted, 17 vessel interactions and checks completed, 32 targeted mobile and marine RBT conducted and three marine cautions were issued.

Strike Force Trident are handling the investigation. Pictures: NSW Police.

“We know the oyster industry is highly valuable and the Rural Crime Prevention Team will continue to target and disrupt oyster theft on the South Coast and across the state, with assistance from our partner agencies to deter thieves, this operation should put them on notice, that we will continue to target this illicit trade,” Mr Whiteside said.

“We appeal for anyone with information about crime such as these – or who are offered products in circumstances that appear suspicious to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

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