Lobster man nabbed in covert op

IT took a sting operation involving covert surveillance and secretly microchipped lobsters.

But NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) boss Glenn Tritton says justice has been done.

A 65-year-old Cronulla man was caught with illegally obtained loot - six eastern rock lobsters and an abalone - in Kurnell, in southeast Sydney, in June 2011.

Now he's been forced to pay $2000 in fines and court costs, following a sentencing at Sutherland Local Court last month, according to the DPI.

Mr Tritton said fisheries officers' suspicions were first aroused when they found several unmarked lobster traps off Cronulla.

"During the following days, fisheries officers began conducting covert surveillance operations surrounding these traps, identifying a man who was diving in vicinity of the unmarked traps over several days," he said in a statement.

"Using microchipping technology, fisheries officers were able to tag lobsters which were located in the traps to enable positive identification and chain of possession later in the investigation."

When the officers apprehended the 65-year-old, the seafood haul found in his possession included three lobsters which had been in the unmarked traps and microchipped earlier in the day.

Eastern rock lobsters are a priority species and the commercial quantity limit is five, Mr Tritton said.

The man pleaded guilty to charges of exceeding bag limits (possession of fish) in circumstances of aggravation, unlawful use of traps and provide false information, the DPI says.

He was fined $1600 and ordered to pay court costs of $300.

"This incident should serve as a warning to people thinking about breaking fishing rules with fisheries officers very active and effective in targeting offenders," Mr Tritton said.

"Fisheries Officers have access to a range of surveillance equipment available, including thermal imaging cameras and high powered spotting scopes."

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