Shellfish thieves in Australia make off with 400,000 oysters worth US$250,000
Australian police said on Wednesday they were on the hunt for thieves who made off with hundreds of thousands of oysters. The molluscs have an estimated total value of A$350,000 (US$250,000) and were lifted from an oyster farm near the town of Taree, north of Sydney, New South Wales police said. Over 300 bags, containing 400,000 oysters, were stolen. Police are urging the public to come forward…
Australian authorities are searching for the individuals who stole hundreds of thousands of oysters with an estimated value of US$250,000. The incident occurred at an oyster farm near Taree, a town north of Sydney in New South Wales. Over 300 bags of 400,000 oysters were reportedly taken. Police have appealed for the public's assistance in uncovering any relevant information about the theft, which occurred earlier in the year but was only reported to them recently.
Oysters are a popular delicacy in Australia, often featured in brunch menus and seafood buffets due to their rich, creamy taste. An oyster farmer, Ryan Freeman, disclosed that the theft resulted in a third of his stock being lost, which could significantly affect his Christmas sales. Freeman emphasized that the loss would take years to recover from, as it takes three to four years to cultivate a Sydney rock oyster.
He expressed disbelief at the act of theft, stating that it would only hinder his recovery and potentially lead to the loss of another two to three years.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.