$2000 worth of bagged oysters, ready to be sold on Christmas, stolen

Just before Christmas Day, nearly 200 dozen oysters, that were destined for Sydney, were stolen from a marine farm on the NSW south coast.

Thieves have stolen nearly 200 dozen oysters from a marine farm on the NSW south coast that were to be sold for Christmas.

Police say 190 dozen of the highly sought after seafood delicacies were taken from a farm in the Wagonga Inlet, Narooma in the week between December 14 and 21.

The oysters were bagged and ready to be transported to a Sydney business when they were stolen from a storage facility on the oyster farm.

It is estimated the haul would be worth around $2000 if sold on the black market.

Officers from the NSW Police Rural Crime prevention Team work with NSW Fisheries on an ongoing basis to investigate oyster theft throughout the state.

Thieves are believed to have used a boat to steal nearly 200 dozen oysters from a marine farm on the NSW south coast in the days before Christmas. Picture: Supplied

Police say the 190 dozen of the highly sought after seafood delicacies were stolen from the Wagonga Inlet, Narooma in the week between December 14 and 21. Picture: Supplied

“Each year oyster theft costs oyster farmers many thousands of dollars, both in lost stock, lost cultivation equipment and in some instances damage to lease infrastructure,” the NSW government website says.

“The consumption of stolen oysters also poses a serious public health risk as the oysters may be taken in contravention of statutory harvest closure initiated under the NSW Shellfish Program. The illegal sale of oysters is a serious offence under the NSW Food Act 2003 with penalties of up to $275,000 and/or imprisonment.

“Theft may be large scale, perpetrated by organised criminals to take product for black market sales; it may be perpetrated by other oyster farmers; or it may be small scale opportunistic theft by people on the water.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Batemans Bay Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as $2000 worth of bagged oysters, ready to be sold on Christmas, stolen