Two men have been charged following a joint operation between DPI Fisheries and NSW Police targeting abalone trafficking.
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On Sunday, February 19, a 21-year-old Moruya man and a 35-year-old Bega man were caught on the Far South Coast with more than 260 abalone.
It is alleged the men took and shucked 266 blacklip abalone of which 205 were found to be of a prohibited size.
Police said the two men were stopped in a vehicle on a remote track in Ben Boyd National Park near Mowarry Point after being observed diving for abalone and shucking it.
Eden Water Police sergeant Steven Judd said a search of their vehicle located a total of 266 shucked abalone and a search of the coastline near their dive site located 262 abalone shells, 205 were of a prohibited size.
The shucked abalone, the shells and the diving equipment were seized and will be used as evidence.
The men will face four charges each in relation to this incident - possession of excess fish (aggravated), possession of prohibited size fish (aggravated), shucking abalone adjacent to waters and the trafficking of an indictable species.
If convicted, the offences carry significant penalties including large fines and imprisonment.
Both men are to appear at Eden Local Court in April.
Fisheries Officers including the State-wide Operations & Investigations Group, with the assistance of NSW Police Marine Area Command, will continue to target illegal abalone possession and trafficking.
