A 50 year old Leeming man has been ordered to pay fines, mandatory penalties and costs totalling more than $41,000, after pleading guilty to black market seafood trades yesterday.

Perth Magistrates Court heard that Allan Ng SHEK, the owner/manager of Westfield Carousel Seafood Market, was one of a number of people and organisations caught dealing in black market fish, during a controlled Department of Fisheries’ operation.

The department’s compliance operation, code-named Cosmos, began in October 2010.

Shek was fined a total of $7,500 on three counts of contravening Section 74 of the Fish Resources Management Act, by purchasing fish from a person who was not the holder of a commercial fishing licence. He was also fined $2,500 for unlicensed processing.

In addition, the seafood retailer will have to pay mandatory penalties of $30,381 related to fish involved in the offences, plus court costs of $649.70.

The court was told that on Tuesday 9 November 2010, Shek was observed in a car park adjacent to Carousel Shopping Centre purchasing 30.47 kilograms of mixed demersal scalefish fillets for $460. Ten days later he was seen paying $520 in cash for 46 western rock lobsters. On Friday 26 November, the offender purchased a further 45 western rock lobsters for $500 cash.

After Fisheries’ compliance officers inspected his Westfield Carousel Seafood Market retail outlet in August last year (2011), Shek admitted to processing rock lobster without a licence.

In response to yesterday’s court outcome, Department of Fisheries’ Compliance and Regional Support Manager Phil Shaw said the monetary penalties handed down provided a clear message that black market seafood trading was not acceptable and that offenders could expect big fines.

“With Operation Cosmos that focussed on illegal trading in rock lobster and Operation Dorado, which targeted unlawful transactions for high value demersal scalefish by individuals and businesses, including restaurants and seafood outlets, the department is committed to wiping out black market seafood trading in WA,” Mr Shaw said.

“Buying seafood legally is vital to ensuring our State’s sustainability standards are met.”

Anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity is taking place is asked to call the FISHWATCH reporting line on 1800 815 507.