Skipper’s ‘honest mistake’

A skipper for the deepwater division of Talley’s Group has apologised for crossing into a marine reserve while fishing near the east coast of the South Island.

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

The vessel started a tow outside the Hikurangi Marine Reserve off Kaikoura, then accidentally crossed 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.

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

‘‘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 the company.

‘‘[We] do not condone fishing in closed areas,’’ he said.

‘‘We have co-operated fully with Fisheries NZ on this matter, and will continue to do so.’’

Amaltal has entered a not guilty plea to the charge but has said it will not make any further comment, as the matter is before the courts.