Fishing company still in dark over why ministry seized trawler

An Auckland fishing company says it has no idea why fisheries officials seized one of its trawlers last week but said it could cost the company $100,000.

Ministry of Fisheries officials seized the $4.5 million Seamount Explorer, owned and operated by Antons Trawling, last Wednesday, and said it might have been carrying black coral, a prohibited species.

The 43m trawler also had an estimated 20 tonnes of orange roughy in its holds.

But Antons' managing director, Milan Barbarich, said he had no idea why the trawler had been seized. "We haven't been advised."

Mr Barbarich said the trawler had been returned to the company but the company had to put up a bond of $4.8m before it could go fishing.

"The vessel is the security for the bond.

"The ministry has not laid any charges and we are awaiting developments."

Mr Barbarich said the company was not interested in black coral and if any came up in the nets it would be thrown back. Black coral grows in deep water colonies that can be centuries old. It is regarded as threatened and listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Fisheries officers on board the Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui, which was patrolling the area, had repeatedly ordered the trawler to change course so they could board it, district compliance manager Brendon Mikkelsen said.

The ministry said the trawler did not respond to VHF channel 16 requests to change course and was pursued for several hours before it was boarded. It said a range of alleged fisheries offences was being investigated.

Mr Barbarich said the company was unhappy about the seizure, which could cost it between $50,000 and $100,000.

- NZPA