Undersize paua haul netted in joint operation at Mahia

TOO SMALL: The 156 undersized paua at Mahia, found after a joint operation by the Ministry for Primary Industries and police. The vehicle and gear of the alleged offenders have been seized. Picture supplied

More than 150 undersized paua have been returned to the sea in Mahia after a joint operation by the Ministry for Primary Industries and New Zealand Police.

Last weekend, fishery officers and police checked the haul of a few fishermen and found a total of 156 undersized paua.

The paua were returned to the sea while the vehicle and gear of the alleged offenders, who may face prosecution, were seized.

MPI director compliance Gary Orr said the “greed and lack of consideration for the marine ecosystem” from those caught is common.

“Protecting our precious marine resources is not just the responsibility of Fishery Officers,” he said.

“Those resources belong to New Zealand and we all have a responsibility to act as guardians of those resources for future generations.”