A number of fishers could face prosecution or large fines after being caught with too much or undersize shellfish, over the last couple of months
“The rules are there for a reason – to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable into the future. There are consequences for people who ignore these rules and help themselves to valuable taonga species. For some it will hurt their wallet or in serious cases they may appear before court,” says Fisheries New Zealand District Manager, Jodie Cole.
A Whitianga Fishery Officer caught three divers with more than 60 pāua that were undersize, taken from the Sailors Grave area. Furthermore, Fishery Officers caught another diver with 13 undersize pāua and an undersized crayfish in that area.
In Waikato, Fishery Officers patrolling at night caught some fishers with undersize pāua taken from the Marakopa/Kiritehere area. One person had 19 undersize pāua, two others had 37 and another had seven – all undersize. One other person who had their catch inspected had 43 undersize pāua.
In the Tauranga area, Fishery Officers patrolling through to Onemana caught two people with 41 undersize pāua at nighttime.
And late in June Fishery Officers snaffled two divers in the Mount Maunganui area with 32 undersize pāua they had stashed in a toilet block area.
“Most fishers go out there wanting to do the right thing and follow the rules. For those who don’t the message is clear, we are out on patrol and won’t hesitate to take action to protect our fisheries.”
The best way to stay on top of the rules for the area you’re fishing or gathering shellfish is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will give you the latest rules, including catch size and limits which do vary from region to region,” says Jodie Cole.
Fisheries New Zealand encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email [email protected]
