More than 1400 shellfish illegally taken from Lake Illawarra were among the marine life confiscated in Fisheries busts across NSW in recent months. The Lake Illawarra cockles and crabs were among thousands of shellfish seized by NSW Department of Primary Industries during a targeted blitz in Sydney and the Illawarra.

The Lake Illawarra busts included four people found in possession of 1167 cockles, and another was found in possession of 244 cockles.

Other busts included thousands of cockles, speared eels and illegal shellfish meat offered for sale at a restaurant in Quirindi.

A Marrickville restaurant was alleged to be offering for sale 80kg of live cockles. 

Anyone with information on illegal activity should call the Fishers Watch line on 1800 043 536.