20 January 2006

Fishery Officers have seized over 250 undersize paua and a 16-foot recreational fishing vessel from Tolaga Bay.

Fishery Officers, with the assistance of the Tolaga Bay police, intercepted the vessel on its return to the local boatramp on Thursday night and discovered the large haul of illegal paua.

Those involved attempted to cover the illegal catch by producing an invalid customary authorisation pursuant to Regulation 27 of the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 1986. The permit produced had expired.

In addition two of the individuals provided misleading information in regards to their identity.

The haul of undersize paua is the largest seized from the Tolaga Bay area by Gisborne Fishery Officers. Team Leader Martin Williams says the paua were all substantially undersize, ranging from 80mm to around 112mm. The minimum legal size for paua is 125mm and the daily quota for recreational fishers is 10 per person.

“The vessel returned late in the evening and the conditions were pretty bad with pouring rain and low cloud. This incident highlights the lengths some individuals will take to cover illegal activity in that they were prepared to produce an invalid authorisation in an attempt to avoid prosecution action. It is indicative of the amount of poaching activity that is occurring on the East Coast on a daily basis.”

Fishery Officers will be continuing their inquiries in relation to the incident and will also be speaking to members of the Marae responsible for issuing the customary authorisation presented by those involved.

“Since no valid Regulation 27 is available to those involved, charges will be laid in relation to the incident. If successfully prosecuted, they face a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine and automatic forfeiture of their fishing vessel.”

“And finally I want to spell out a very clear message to those who are continuing to take illegal seafood in total disregard for the sustainability of the fishery - if you offend there is a good chance you will be caught.”