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Police have conducted a two-day high-visibility operation at businesses on the South Coast, in response to recent oyster thefts.
Strike Force Trident is a joint operation with NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT), and Department of Primary Industries to target the theft and illegal trade of oysters in New South Wales
From Wednesday 22 January 2025 to Thursday 22 January 2025, officers attached to the Rural Crime Prevention Team – with assistance from the NSW Police Marine Area Command, officers attached to the South Coast Police District and Department of Primary Industries – conducted compliance checks from Batemans Bay to Eden.
Rural Crime Prevention Team Officers worked with officers attached to Marine Area Command to search leases in Wagonga Inlet, Narooma and Merimbula Lake.
It follows reports of thefts around Narooma, Bermagui and Merimbula over recent months – with an estimated loss of tens of thousands of dollars. The thefts involve juvenile to ready-to-consume oysters.
During the two-day operation;
- 32 oyster lease and business inspections were conducted
- 17 vessel interactions and checks completed
- 32 targeted mobile/marine RBT conducted
- Three marine cautions issued
Rural Crime Prevention Team State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside, said the operation has been a great success.
"NSW Police is pleased with the results of this high-visibility operation, with important information gathered to continue our investigations into the alleged theft of oysters within the South Coast Police District. We know this operation has already started important conversations in the industry and provided greater awareness to the threat of oyster theft," Det Ch Insp Whiteside said.
"We know the oyster industry is highly valuable and the Rural Crime Prevention Team will continue to target and disrupt oyster theft on the South Coast and across the state, with assistance from our partner agencies to deter thieves, this operation should put them on notice, that we will continue to target this illicit trade."
"We appeal for anyone with information about crime such as these – or who are offered products in circumstances that appear suspicious – to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," he said.
