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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-19 Daily Xml
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FISHERIES COMPLIANCE

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:43): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about fisheries compliance.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: PIRSA has been working to conclude a case regarding abalone poaching. Will the minister update the chamber on recent developments in this case?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Since 2010 PIRSA has been investigating the largest abalone-poaching operation in history. Following the identification of this organised criminal group, PIRSA and SAPOL undertook ongoing surveillance and investigations of a number of persons of interest until arrests started to be made in November 2010. South Australia's commercial abalone fishery generates almost $88 million for the state's economy, with the vast majority of the celebrated delicacy exported to major markets such as Hong Kong.

Australia is the largest wild-catch producer of abalone in the world, with quotas applied to all abalone-producing states, enabling the annual production of 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of abalone. I am advised that this is more than half the total world wild-catch population, which is quite outstanding. I am advised that South Australia accounts for about 20 per cent of Australia's total abalone catch, and this includes more than half the national production of the higher value green lip species, and that is why protecting the integrity of this fishery is obviously so important.

Trafficking of abalone is considered one the most serious offences under the fisheries act and carries penalties that include fines of up to $500,000 for a company and, I think, $100,000 per individual, or four years' imprisonment. The court may also cancel or suspend any licence and prohibit a person from engaging in any fishing activity.

I am very pleased to advise that the PIRSA fisheries division has now wrapped up this abalone trafficking case with the conviction of a seventh person involved. The investigation into the trafficking syndicate has resulted in three arrests, with three suspended sentences ranging from 12 to 16 months. In total seven people were convicted, with fines of just under $29,000 and a total of 360 hours of community service handed down.

In the final case, heard before the Holden Hill Magistrates Court last month, Mr Dang Duong of Pooraka was found guilty of possessing 70 abalone and ordered to pay fines, penalties and court costs totalling about $9,500. I understand that 480 kilograms of abalone was trafficked, with a wholesale value of more than $480,000, so it is worth a lot.

This outcome sends a very clear message that activities which undermine the sustainability of our species, this most important and lucrative fishery, will not be tolerated. Those who take part in this illegal activity will be caught and the full weight of the law will be applied to them. It is not just a matter of potentially undermining the sustainability of this fishery because it also cheats hardworking, legitimate operators of their hard-earned livelihood. They work very hard in that sector, and this is simply cheating them out of their potential livelihood.

I also take this opportunity to remind any person engaged in taking, selling or purchasing illegally caught abalone that they can also face significant penalties; it is not just the poacher, but also the person who buys illegal or unlicensed product. Members of the public should ensure that they purchase abalone only from registered fish processors or legitimate retail outlets. As I said, the illegal, unregulated and unlicensed take and trafficking of abalone, which is an important species for us, not only poses a sustainability risk but also cheats fishers.

Professional abalone poaching rings move quickly. They are often extremely difficult to catch, so this is a very good example of PIRSA's excellent commitment to and diligence in dismantling the illegal groups and activities that seek to make profit from exploiting our fisheries. I would like to take this opportunity to place on record the government's thanks to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture and, of course, to SAPOL as well, for their commitment to dismantling this particular group. I encourage members of the public to report suspicious or illegal fishing activities to our 24-hour Fishwatch number. Callers are able to remain anonymous if they like.

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