Patrol catches poachers in act

ON HIGH ALERT: Hawke's Bay fishery officer Craig Petherick about to get back into an RNZAF helicopter after inspecting catches of paua on a reef on Mahia Peninsula. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) A109 Light Utility Helicopter completed patrols on about 300km of coastline in Hawke's Bay last week, resulting in the arrests of six groups taking paua illegally.

In a two-day operation in support of the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), a crew from the RNZAF's No3 Squadron focused on the coast from Akitio to Mahia Peninsula.

There was plenty of action around Mahia on October 29, when the patrol encountered several groups that were behaving suspiciously.

"Working with fishery officers on the ground, the patrol successfully intercepted a group of individuals who were being targeted as part of this operation.

"These individuals would not have been located without air support so this was a big win," Aircraft Captain Flight Lieutenant Sam Estall said.

"Several individuals were flouting the paua regulations, so MPI was very happy that we were able to catch them in the act," he added.

MPI Compliance Operations Manager Gary Orr said "the great team effort on the part of the RNZAF and MPI" will potentially lead to three prosecutions and five infringement notices being issued.

"Paua are valued by customary, recreational and commercial fishers alike. We need to protect our paua stocks so future generations can enjoy them," Mr Orr said.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy said the overt nature of an A109's patrol allows MPI to have a strong visible presence.

"This sends a very clear message to the poachers that they can be hit at any time from the land, sea and from the skies.

They have nowhere to hide," AIR CDRE McEvoy said.

"Many of these beaches and reefs are difficult and time-consuming to get to, so checking them from the air is a great way to detect fishing-related activities that would take days to cover by vehicle patrols," he added.

-MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.