Fishing messages not always getting through

13 December 2010

Two Wairarapa people, a man and a woman, were apprehended by Fishery Officers near Martinborough last night with 262 paua, all of which were undersize.

Honorary Fishery Officers carrying out a routine patrol in the reserve at Tora spoke with a number of fishers gathering paua, providing them with information pamphlets, a demonstration on how to measure paua and paua measuring devices.

One of the groups spoken to included the pair who were later stopped.

Ray McKay, Field Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa, said it was disappointing that despite concerted educational awareness effort by the Ministry of Fisheries, a few people still choose to blatantly breach fisheries legislation. He also congratulated the Honorary Fishery officers for their good work.

“The right to go fishing comes with responsibilities and one of those responsibilities is compliance with fishing rules,” Mr McKay said. “Unfortunately, this is a message that is not getting through to a small group of recreational fishers. They’re spoiling it for everyone else and we’re determined to stop them.”

Both people stopped by Fishery Officers could face fines up to $250,000 and have the vehicle they were transporting the paua in forfeited to the Crown. The paua and a vehicle were seized at the time of apprehension.

The limit for paua is 10 per person per day. The minimum size is 125 millimetres across the widest part of the shell.

Members of the public should call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) if they see anything suspicious or illegal on our beaches this summer.

He kaitiaki tätou katoa