Oyang 77 charges laid

16 May 2012

Charges have been laid against the skipper and factory manager of the Oyang 77 in relation to misreporting and illegal dumping of fish, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has advised today.

Eight charges were laid against the skipper and three charges against the factory manager at Christchurch District Court on 9 May 2012, and these were served late yesterday.

“We take all allegations or evidence of breaches very seriously,” says MPI Deputy Director-General Scott Gallacher. “We investigate thoroughly and methodically, and where there is sufficient evidence we will prosecute.”

The New Zealand fishing industry has a good level of compliance with regulations, but breaches like this do occur from time to time, he says.

“Commercial fishing relies largely on the honesty of fishers and their understanding that complying with regulations ensures the sustainability of the resource they depend on for their business.”

Mr Gallacher says while these types of investigations take time and require attention to detail and a significant amount of work, it is important that people do not feel that their information is unimportant or ignored.

”We urge people to come to us if they have any evidence or suspicion of this type of breach. We will investigate.”

In any instance where there proves to be evidence that wrong-doing has occurred, then a prosecution is likely, he says.

The two men charged are due to appear in Court on 5 July 2012.