Mobile seafood vendor caught red handed

Mobile seafood vendor caught red handed selling recreationally caught mud crabs!

Fisheries Officers from Inverell conducted a routine post-harvest inspection on a mobile seafood vendor targeting the supply and sale of black-market seafood.

NSW DPI Fisheries Officers conducted a quality inspection of the vendor and reviewed prescribed records concerning the lawful seafood. As a result of the inspection Fisheries Officers found 4 cooked mud crab’s located in a tub.

The vendor failed to produce prescribed records concerning the mud crabs.

Fisheries Officers investigated the matter further and established that the mud crab’s in question were caught by the vendor using recreational methods. The mud crab’s were then sold by the vendor to members of the public.

The vendor did not hold a commercial fishing license or other authority that permitted the take of mud crab for sale in NSW.

A person must not take fish for sale unless authorised to do so by a commercial fishing license.

During the Christmas/New Year period there is an increase in demand for fresh seafood products.

Fisheries Officers across the state conduct routine inspections on all seafood vendors with a focus on the take and sale of all products including mud crab, lobster, abalone, oysters and other fin fish species.

The vendor was issued with penalty infringement notices in relation to the matter.

NSW DPI Fisheries remind fishers that selling recreational caught seafood in New South Wales can result in heavy penalties.

If you see illegal fishing activities please report it to the Fishers Watch Hotline on 1800 043 536 or online at https://bit.ly/38lU4OB