MPI Fishery Officers in Kaikōura are investigating, following the discovery of 212 pāua in the boot of a car.
Yesterday (Tuesday) at about 5pm, Police stopped the driver of a car on another matter and found a large sack of pāua in
the boot. They immediately contacted MPI and Fishery Officers interviewed the man last night, says MPI’s Fisheries
Compliance Regional Manager, Howard Reid.The pāua haul discovered in the boot of a car.
“This is really disappointing. The Kaikoura pāua fishery has been closed since the earthquake of 2016 to allow it to
rebuild. It’s been a real joint effort to look after the fishery since then, with the community working closely with
government and tangata whenua. This sort of theft just undermines all that good mahi.”
MPI is investigating where the pāua was destined. Some of it was undersize and some very large – unfortunate losses to
the current and future breeding stocks. The man was heading south to the Canterbury region, when he was stopped.
“The fishery is due to reopen in December for three months. A lot of work has gone into monitoring and research to
understand how this fishery is doing and to allow a cautious reopening. The health of the fishery will be measured
before and after the initial reopening period to assess the effect on pāua in the Kaikōura area, and to provide
information that will be used to decide next steps.
“It’s critical that fishers continue to respect the closed fishery until December and then abide by the bag and size
limit requirement for the three-month open season.
Howard Reid says the alleged offending is considered serious. No further information is available while the matter is
being investigated.
To report any suspicious fishing activity, phone the MPI 0800 4 POACHER hotline (0800 47 62 24).