Mfish Seizes Two More Vessels In Hake Investigation

1 August 2001

The Ministry of Fisheries has seized two more vessels in its investigations into fishing in the hake grounds on the Challenger Plateau (West coast of the South Island) and the Southeast Chatham Rise.

The two vessels are the Sur Este 707, seized in Nelson on 30 July, and the Sur Este 700, seized in Nelson yesterday (31 July). MFish had earlier seized over 500 tonnes of fish caught by the Sur Este vessels while fishing in the Hake grounds.

Both vessels are flagged in Belize and owned by the Korean company Dong Nam Co Ltd, which was fishing in a joint venture operation with the permit holders South East Resources, of Timaru.

The action is part of wider investigations into fishing in the Hake 4 (Challenger Plateau) and the Hake 7 (Southeast Chatham Rise) Quota Management Areas earlier in the month.

On 16 July MFish laid a number of charges against the Master of the Korean owned fishing vessel 701 Don Fico which, with its catch, was seized in Nelson on 16 July. MFish has also charged the Master of another Korean owned fishing vessel, Dong Won 519, which, with its product was seized at the port of Timaru on 30 June.

The Masters of both vessels have been summonsed to appear at the Wellington District Court on 8 August.

The Manager of MFish's Serious Offences Unit, Mike Green, says investigations into fishing in the Hake 4 and Hake 7 grounds are continuing.

Information about Hake 4 and Hake 7 is contained in the Ministry of Fisheries Plenary Report, available on this site here