Experienced skipper makes ‘honest mistake’

A skipper for the deepwater division of Talley’s Group has apologised for crossing into a marine reserve while fishing off the East Coast of the South Island.

On 4 March 2020, in the Nelson District Court, the skipper of the Amaltal Mariner intimated a guilty plea to one charge under the Marine Reserves Act 1971 for an incident that occurred in March 2019.

The vessel started a tow outside the Hikurangi Marine Reserve, off the Kaiko¯ ura coast and then accidentally crossed the line into the reserve.

During the brief time the net was in the reserve $213 worth of fish was caught. No benthic organisms were recorded as being caught in the tow.

The skipper said his actions were ‘‘an honest mistake’’ and accepted compliance regulations at sea were his responsibility as captain. He had since apologised ‘‘unreservedly’’ to the company and his crew.

‘‘I realise the importance of maintaining the integrity of the system, whether it be under the Fisheries Act or whether it is a marine reserve under the Marine Reserves Act.

‘‘I would never and did not intentionally fish in a marine reserve,’’ he said.

Amaltal general manager Tony Hazlett said the one-time mistake was made by a skipper who had fished for more than 40 years with no previous incidents.

‘‘We have undertaken a detailed internal investigation into the incident, which confirmed the skipper’s report that he made an unintentional mistake and will face disciplinary action.

‘‘We have also reiterated to all our skippers the importance of strict compliance with all fishing and maritime regulations.’’

Hazlett said the vessel had been seized by Fisheries NZ and bonded back to them.

Amaltal has entered a not guilty plea to the charge but would not make any further comment as the matter was in front of the courts.