The 31-year-old man from Cronulla and a 22-year-old man from Bundeena, were apprehended at Aragunnu, a coastal camping location near Bermagui, in March 2007.

“Fisheries Officers from Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW’s Statewide Operations and Investigations Group apprehended the men during a surveillance operation targeting abalone stealing on the NSW Far South Coast,” Mr Andrews said.

“They were found to have 566 abalone. All of the abalone were seized and returned to the water alive.

“Dive equipment including SCUBA gear was also seized.

“The men were charged with possessing more than the bag limit, possessing prohibited size and illegally taken abalone, using SCUBA to take the abalone and failure to pay the fishing fee.”

In addition to the four month suspended jail sentence, the 31 year old was fined $2928 in fines and court costs at Sutherland Local Court last month.

The 22 year old was fined $6219 in fines and court costs.

The possession limit in NSW is two per person in areas open to the taking of abalone. The minimum legal length for abalone is 11.7cm.

“Strategic patrols are being conducted along the NSW coastline netting abalone thieves on rocks, and organised operations are targeting illegal receivers and the blackmarket abalone trade particularly in Sydney.”

Rewards are offered for information leading to a conviction of illegal abalone receivers and divers.

Information can be provided direct to the abalone compliance group on 6499 8000.