Eleven people are alleged to be involved in the illegal activity.
40 Fisheries and Marine Officers operating in multiple teams across the metropolitan area executed 10 search warrants and inspected two metropolitan seafood restaurants earlier this month, with the two main offenders alleged to be selling rock lobster to the restaurants.
The investigations under Operation Stonemoor also identified individuals alleged to be selling recreationally caught demersal scalefish.
DPIRD Acting Operations and Compliance Executive Director Nigel Schofield said the department was well equipped to run comprehensive operations to detect illegal activities and apprehend people attempting to operate under the radar.
“The sale or barter of any recreationally caught fish of any species is illegal throughout Western Australia,” Mr Schofield said.
“We know the vast majority of recreational fishers in WA do the right thing to catch a feed for personal use, but we have zero tolerance for recfishers aiming to illegally profit from their fishing and those offenders will face prosecution.”
Fishers who engage in illegal fishing practices such as selling recreationally caught fish, and exceeding daily bag and possession limits, pose a significant threat to the sustainability of vulnerable fisheries.
Likewise, members of the public and commercial businesses such as restaurants who illegally purchase fish from recreational fishers provide an opportunity for the black market to exist and can also be prosecuted for a serious offence.
In WA, offenders who illegally deal in fish face fines of up to $400,000 and four-years imprisonment, fishing licence suspensions, and vehicle and vessel forfeitures. They also face mandatory financial penalties of up to 10 times the value of the fish.
Anyone who suspects the sale or purchase of seafood from a black-market source, is encouraged to report it. Information on illegal fishing activities can be given anonymously to the FishWatch reporting line on 1800 815 507 or via the online form on Crimestoppers.
