Weekend fishers targeted

Recreational fishers around the Coromandel Peninsula were fined around $4000 over Labour Weekend for various fisheries-related offences, including gathering crayfish that were carrying eggs.

MPI fishery officers uncovered the offending while out on patrol on land and at sea on both the west and east coast of the peninsula.

Spokesman Jason Howat says around 400 recreational fishers were subject to inspections and some paid the price for committing a range offences.

“In general, compliance with fisheries regulations was high, with fishers playing their part in protecting the fishery by sticking to the rules.

“However, 14 infringements were issued for offences ranging from undersized fish (snapper), excess and undersized paua, undersized scallops, undersized crayfish and taking crayfish that were carrying eggs.

“In a more serious incident, a recreational fishing boat was boarded at sea by of fishery officers in O¯ pito Bay in the early evening. The inspection revealed 132 scallops, 52 of which were undersized.

“As a result, the vessel and the dive gear used in the offending was seized and one person will face prosecution action.” Jason says fishery officers are always out over Labour Weekend so people who breach fisheries regulations will be caught.

“People who choose to break the rules will be dealt with accordingly. There’s not an endless supply of fish in the sea.