6 July 2012

Fishery officers seize dive gear

Two men are facing fisheries charges and will be appearing in court
after being apprehended by fishery officers in two separate incidents
at Otama Beach in the Coromandel.

In the first incident on 16 June, a 43 year old Tairua man was
apprehended diving for mussels. He was found to be in possession of
118 green lipped mussels with the daily allowable limit per person
being 25. He will now be facing a charge of taking more than three
times the daily allowable limit. He has also had his dive gear seized
which will be subject to forfeiture by the court if convicted of the
offence.

In the second incident on 30 June, a 47 year old Whitianga man was
apprehended by an Honorary Fishery Officer (HFO) after diving. A sack
containing 69 excess and undersize paua was subsequently located
hidden in long grass beside the man’s vehicle where he was changing
out of his wetsuit. The daily allowable limit for paua is 10 per
person and the minimum size limit is 125mm. He is now likely facing
charges of taking excess and undersize paua and his dive gear has
also been seized.

The penalties for taking or possessing excess shellfish carry
penalties of up to $20,000 and can also involve sentences of
community service. Seizure and likely forfeiture to the Crown of
property used in the offending and can include diver gear, vehicles
and boats.

Bay of Plenty/Waikato/Coromandel District Compliance Manager Brendon
Mikkelsen says “It’s disappointing when you see members of the
community offending in this manner. People should be sticking to the
limits and sizes and helping to sustain a fishery that is very
important to local communities in areas like the Coromandel. These
people are the minority; the vast majority stick to the rules and are
responsible recreational fishers, they recognise it’s about taking
individual responsibility.”

“Fishery Officers and Honorary Fishery Officers based in the
Coromandel enjoy valuable public support in protecting the fishery
resource. This is vital and plays a key part in ensuring the ongoing
sustainability of the fishery,” says Mr Mikkelsen.

Members of the public who see any unlawful activity (including
suspected poaching and/or offering seafood for sale on the
black-market) are urged to phone the Ministry’s freephone hotline:
0800 4 POACHER (0800 4 76224) in confidence.

“The assistance of the public by reporting suspicious or illegal
activity to Fishery Officers is a key element in protecting the
fishery.”

For further information about recreational fishing limits visit
http://www.fish.govt.nz

)

--

© Scoop Media