A LARGE GROUP of people were found picking over 1,000 wild oysters in Co Kerry, all of which have since been returned to the sea.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has said it seized the illegally-harvested oysters after officers observed people hand-picking them at low tide in Kenmare Bay, a Special Area of Conservation.

Staff members searched two vehicles and found 612 native oysters. Following a second search they found more bags of oysters bringing the total to over 1,000.

The vehicles have since been seized.

Many of the oysters were under the minimum (76mm) size for licenced harvesting.

Section 277 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959 bans oyster harvesting without a license. A conviction carries a monetary fine upon conviction.

A prosecution file is being prepared against individuals allegedly involved in the incident.

Commenting on the seizure Sean Long IFI’s South-Western Director said: “IFI is pleased our protection team prevented such a large quantity of oysters being taken from Kenmare Bay”.

“This would have resulted in a significant loss to the local environment.”