'Highly-valued' discovery stuffed inside backpacks near Aussie beach
The find of nearly 500 fresh abalone in a coastal Adelaide suburb could lead to a fine of up to $100,000.
Two men are under investigation over a late-night discovery stuffed inside two backpacks that could lead to time behind bars.
A police helicopter spotted the men on a boardwalk in the coastal Adelaide suburb of Hallett Cove about 2am on Thursday before they were met with officers on the ground.
South Australia Police allege nearly 500 fresh abalone were discovered inside the men's hiking backpacks.
The current daily bag limit is five per person and those found to have breached laws can face fines of up to $100,000 and four years in jail.
Abalone, a type of marine snail, are "one of Australia's most highly valued fisheries products", according to Sydney Fish Market, and often retails for around $100 per kilo.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) were contacted and officers attended and seized the abalone and equipment the men allegedly had including wetsuits, nets and shucking knifes.
A 70-year-old man from Angle Park and a 69-year-old man from Para Hills West are being investigated by Fisheries officers for offences under the Fisheries Act, police said.
Abalone offences 'taken very seriously'
A South Australian man was previously jailed over an illegal haul of roughly 1,000 abalone in 2018.
Then primary industries minister Tim Whetstone said the sentence was a reminder of how strict the rules surrounding illegal catches are.
“Abalone is a priority species in South Australia and any breaches of abalone fishing rules is taken very seriously by the government,” Mr Whetstone said, The Advertiser reported at the time.
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