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Live Rocks Stolen From Harvester In Islamorada

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Jun 17, 2009 8:20 pm US/Eastern

Live Rocks Stolen From Harvester In Islamorada

Crimestoppers: 1-800-346-TIPS

ISLAMORADA (CBS4) ― Someone stole 300,000 pounds of live rock meant to be harvested by a boat captain in Islamorada sometime in the past 18 months, and it's costing the owner $1 million in loses.

According to CBS4 News partner the Miami Herald, Neal Novak is a boat captain who works for Tow Boat U.S. and who had gotten a permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration to harvest the rocks in one acre of water off of Islamorada. The live rocks, which forms by placing rocks on the bottom of the ocean floor, is used for aquariums and reef tanks.

However a crook, or team of crooks, took off with his harvest, which can sell for about $8 per pound retail.

Novak says he's devastated.

''I've lost my livelihood,'' Novak told the Miami Herald Tuesday from his home in Cutler Bay. ``I put over $100,000 into the company and now I might have to go bankrupt.''

He made the discovery May 13, when he and his wife made the trip to Islamorada to harvest the rocks.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)

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