Nine Fisheries officers from the state-wide operations and investigations group swooped on three members of an abalone stealing syndicate.

The officers seized 1303 shucked blacklip abalone and three sets of diving gear.

Shells from 937 abalone were recovered with all but three being below the legal size.

The offenders were caught at Shelley Point, Kiola following surveillance of their diving activities.

The three male offenders refused to be interviewed, and the matter will now proceed to court.

They face ten charges under the Fisheries Act including being in possession of prohibited size fish, possessing more than the limit, possessing shucked abalone adjacent to waters and obstructing Fisheries officers.

Penalties range up to a fine of $22,000, and six months jail for the obstruction offence.