Authorities have foiled a plot to export more than 50 fertilised emu eggs to Vietnam, in breach of wildlife protection laws.
Thi Ngoc Huong Chu, 42, was fined $5000 in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday, as the orchestrator of the attempted exportation.
Emu eggs are consumed as a delicacy in Vietnam and can sell for up to $60 each, the court was told earlier.
Chu, who is from NSW, planned for three people to transport the eggs on commercial flights from Sydney.
However, authorities uncovered them before they could leave the country and the eggs were seized and destroyed.
Under Australian law, it is illegal to export native wildlife, including eggs, without a permit, with penalties ranging up to 10 years in prison, fines of up to $364,000, or both.
The newly established National Environmental Protection Agency protects native species and habitats through regulation of the export of Australian wildlife, including eggs.
The agency's head of compliance and enforcement, Dani Yannopoulos, described the illegal trade of wildlife as a serious crime.
"Australia's native wildlife is precious and protected," she said.
"Illegal trade of wildlife can have long-term consequences for species population numbers, biodiversity and ecosystems."
The agency was established in July as the nation's first independent federal environmental regulator and is responsible for regulating permits for legal trade of Australia's wildlife.
Permits may be granted in limited circumstances such as for species conservation, research and exhibition purposes.
Suspected illegal wildlife trade activities, can be reported anonymously through the NEPA website.
