Fisherman fined for selling catch

A 49-year-old unemployed Kerikeri man has been convicted of selling his catch of mullet illegally.

Mario Pihema, who was caught by a fisheries officer selling the fish from his partner’s vehicle at the intersection of State Highway 10 and Kerikeri Rd in September, admitted breaching the Fisheries Act when he appeared before the District Court at Kaikohe last week.

He was convicted and fined $1000 with $130 court costs, and forfeited the vehicle, $20 cash, a chilly bin and two signs advertising the mullet.

The court heard that Pihema caught between 25 and 30 mullet in the Kerikeri Inlet, and advertised them for sale at two for $10. He was trying to make extra cash, as he had a new baby.

Vincent William Sweeney, a 32-yearold commercial fisherman, also from Kerikeri, was fined $1000 with $130 costs, and forfeited his boat, for fishing without a current permit and failing to keep a record of fish sold. He has been a commercial fisherman since 2009.

In April last year the Ministry for Primary Industries sent him a payment remainder notification for overdue levies and fees.

Another reminder was sent a month later, with a warning that if payment was not received by June 20 his fishing permit would be suspended.

Whilst suspended he had made eight trips, completing catch, effort and landing returns for each, and submitted them to the MPI. He told the ministry he wasn’t aware his permit had been suspended, as he had difficulty receiving email due to poor WiFi at home.

Sweeney caught 133kg of flatfish and 30kg of grey mullet over the eight trips, which he said he had sold by way of wharf sales. He was unable to locate receipts for fish sales.

Moerewa woman Vanessa Beazley was sentenced to 150 hours’ community work for offering to sell shucked oysters at $15 a punnet on Facebook. The oysters had been harvested by a family member recreationally.

It was not known how many sales had been made.