Judge not taking angler’s explanation

HE did not need a fishing licence because he was a Kiwi and should be able to feed his family, a Dunedin man said when approached by a Fish and Game ranger at Tomahawk Lagoon.

Thomas Paul Gordon (32) appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week and admitted a charge of taking sports fish without a licence.

He was convicted, fined $800 and ordered to pay court costs $130 and prosecution costs $300.

Judge Dominic Flatley also ordered forfeiture of fishing equipment seized at the time of the offending.

Otago Fish and Game Council prosecutor Nathan Laws said that on November 14 last year a member of the public complained of a person fishing at Tomahawk Lagoon with more than one assembled rod and running line.

The informant was further concerned the person was fishing without a licence.

In response to the complaint, a ranger went to the lagoon, a popular rainbow, brown trout and perch fishery, about 1.45pm.

Noticing Gordon was fishing with two rods, the ranger told him it was an offence to use more than one rod.

He asked for Gordon’s fishing licence. Gordon said he did not have one and gave his explanation of not needing one because he was a Kiwi and should be able to feed his family.

He was abusive when asked to provide his details. But he eventually did.

Told his fishing equipment would be seized, he threw three rods on to the road behind his vehicle. The ranger retrieved the equipment.

Gordon was aggressive and threatening before driving off at speed.

The Fish and Game database showed Gordon had never bought a fishing licence.

Counsel Andy Belcher said Gordon accepted his behaviour had been hotheaded. He was apologetic and embarrassed to be in court.