A syndicate of Brimbank-based seafood divers who worked illegally have copped jail sentences, fines of up to $16,500 or fishing bans following hearings last Monday and Tuesday in Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Successful prosecutions came as a result of a 10-month Fisheries Victoria investigation, dubbed Operation Quantum, which executed 12 search warrants at Brimbank addresses in October 2014.
Several of those who faced court on Monday pleaded guilty to taking abalone for sale without authorisation, while others also pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime, the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources told Star Weekly.
Diving equipment and 12 vehicles were seized during initial raids, while a number of residential assets, all within Brimbank, were also seized under proceeds of crime legislation.
The court was told last Monday that 10 Brimbank divers took abalone and other seafood from the south-west coast of Victoria, driving from Brimbank several times a week to dive for abalone, rock lobster and other shellfish from around Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
The fish was then onsold to two alleged ringleaders, based at Cairnlea and St Albans, and offered at discount prices in Alfrieda Street, St Albans, and from private residences in Sunshine, as well as from the back of one ringleader’s car.
An alleged female ringleader, who pleaded guilty in December, has been remanded in custody for further sentencing in February. The other alleged ringleader faced court last Tuesday.
On Monday, four divers received jail sentences of up to two months, but appeals were lodged immediately.
Six received community correctional orders, requiring between 60 and 280 hours of unpaid community work.
