Fisheries seize three vehicles near Tauranga Airport

Two freezers containing 210 bags of paua were seized by fisheries officers as part of the operation. Photo/Supplied

Three vehicles parked near Tauranga Airport allegedly linked to a Motiti Island paua poaching ring were seized by Fishery Officers yesterday.

Ministry of Primary Industries Waikato/Bay of Plenty District compliance manager Brendon Mikkelsen said the vehicles were allegedly connected to the November raids in Mount Maunganui, Motiti Island and seizure of freezers full of black market paua.

More than $15,000 of black market paua collected by a black market shellfish ring was last month seized after a year-long investigation, he said.

Mr Mikkelsen said during this time it was believed 231kg of minced paua with a commercial value of $30,000 was poached and sold, and 43 litres of kina was poached and sold for $3,500.

A Tauranga food business is allegedly involved in the illegal sale of paua and kina.

Mr Mikkelsen said enquiries were continuing but he confirmed charges were likely.

However, firm decisions on charges were unlikely to be made until the New Year, he said

Mr Mikkelsen said the seized vehicles had no connection to the airport itself.