Several oyster growers in Stradbroke Island, Queensland, have been subjected to a well-planned and highly executed heist that has resulted in the theft of more than 12,000 oysters, causing significant financial losses to the affected farmers.
The incident marks the second year in a row that the growers have been robbed, leaving them struggling to recover their livelihoods.
Prof Andrew James Robson, president of the Queensland Oyster Growers Association and chair of the Queensland Oyster Industry Network, condemned the theft.
“These thefts have devastated our community at a time when many growers saw light at the end of the tunnel following large stock losses from QX disease and reduced sales during Covid,” said Robson.
He explained that the high quality of the oysters, complemented by high market prices, meant the harvest would have seen growers in a good position to start the recovery process and have funds to reinvest in stock and infrastructure.
“Sadly, they are once again having to start over. The impact of these thefts on the growers and their families cannot be underestimated,” added Robson.
Removing oysters from a commercial lease without permission is a crime under Section 87 of the Fisheries Act 1994 with a maximum penalty of 500 penalty units – where one penalty unit is equivalent to $154.80 – and a fisheries infringement notice (on-the-spot fine) may also be issued for offences under section 87 with a penalty of 10 penalty units or $1548.
“You can’t just harvest and store 1000 dozen oysters on a dinghy,” said Robson.
“This was a well-planned and highly executed robbery, and the fact that it has happened for the second year in a row is extremely concerning.”
The public is urged to help in putting a stop to this criminal behaviour by reporting any unusual activity on commercial oyster leases, such as non-commercial-looking boats and jet skis removing oyster bags or the sudden sale of oysters by unusual retailers at reduced prices, to the police on 131 444 or crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.
