East Coast fishers keeping to the rules

15 January 2007

East Coast fishers were sticking to the rules over the holiday period with only a handful of people being booked by Fisheries Officers.

Ministry of Fisheries East Coast manager Neville Buckley said close to 400 boats and vehicles were stopped and checked over the holiday period between Mahia and Opotiki. Many other people were spoken to on the beaches.

From those checks only four people will be prosecuted for offences relating to undersize and excess paua as well as undersize rocklobster. A further seven $250 infringement notices were issued for a range of offences mainly relating to undersize paua and rocklobsters.

Mr Buckley said it is great to have so few breaches of regulations out of so many checks.

“It shows that people realize that to keep fishing into the future everyone has got to play by the rules. It is very pleasing.”

Mr Buckley said everyone that was inspected was co-operative and most people were very positive about the work fisheries officers were doing.

He said fisheries officers took a high-profile approach this holiday season and spent a lot of time handing out brochures and information on fishing rules.

“It is likely that the weather had an impact on the number of fishers out and about but most inspected were able to take enough for a feed.”

Mr Buckley said that specific fishery patrols will be continuing for the rest of the summer season.

Fishers should be aware of the rules associated with recreational fishing before they go fishing and those who wish to report any illegal fishing should ring 0800 4 Poacher (0800 476224).