Ministry of Fisheries Warns of Fishing Risk In Kaikoura Waters

23 May 2001

The Ministry of Fisheries is warning all fishermen not to fish in waters along the Kaikoura coast after a truck accident spilled rat poison into the sea.

Emergency services are trying to contain part of an 18-tonne truckload of toxic rat pellets that spilt when the articulated truck crashed on State Highway One south of Kaikoura this morning.

Acting District Compliance Manager John Robinson said fishers should not fish or pull up any lobster pots or nets, until more is known about the spill. The poison has killed fish in the area.

"I'd also like to warn the public not to pick up dead fish along the coast, eat it or feed it to family pets," he said.

The poison has killed fish in the area.