The Department of Primary Industry (DPI) has reminded people caught illegally removing pipis off Stockton Beach face penalties of up to $22,000 or six months imprisonment.
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This comes after the Examiner received reports from Port Stephens residents who regularly use the beach witnessing unlicensed beachgoers taking pipis - a small, edible saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusc - during the recent holiday period.
One regular beachgoer who requested he remain anonymous said that he had witnessed families of up to five people collecting and removing pipis south of the Stockton 4WD exit passage.
"It seemed to be much worse this year during the Easter holiday period. These people were not recreational fishers and they were filling their pockets and, in some cases, buckets with pipis." The witness said the incidents were predominantly in the early hours of the morning, "probably to avoid detection".
A DPI spokesperson said that it was an offence for recreational fishers to take pipis other than for use as bait, or to remove those pipis more than 50 metres from the high water mark.
"There is a $500 minimum penalty for persons exceeding the bag limit, with an additional $500 penalty if those pipis are removed from the beach. Maximum penalties range up to $22,000, or six months imprisonment (or both), for a first offence," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that Fisheries officers regularly patrol Stockton Beach to detect and report offenders, in addition to other compliance and advisory duties across the district.
"Fisheries officers based at Port Stephens have not received reports of a growing number of people (that) are taking pipis off Stockton Beach illegally.
"The public is encouraged to report illegal or suspect fishing activity by calling Fishers Watch on 1800 043 056, or report online at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/compliance/report-illegal-activity."
Pipis in NSW are harvested commercially for the domestic fresh seafood market under strict food safety requirements to ensure they are fit for human consumption.
"The taking of pipis by appropriately endorsed licensed commercial fishers is currently closed from February 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019 to ensure sustainable management of the fishery."
