Anger over crayfish grab

A Maori guardian and an MP have expressed anger at hundreds of crayfish being taken from a Napier customary fishing reserve using commercial fishing equipment.

Hawke's Bay National MP Chris Tremain said up to 40 commercial crayfish pots had been seen in the Moremore Mataitai (customary fishing reserve), gathering up to 1400 crayfish a week for "traditional purposes", the Dominion Post reported today.

According to rules governing a mataitai, there is no daily limit on what can be taken, nor is there a size limit.

Fishermen apply to a kaitiaki (customary manager) for a permit to take kai moana (seafood) for traditional purposes, such as a hui or a tangi.

Moremore Mataitai kaitiaki Te Aranui Boyce Spooner said he was furious at the amount of crayfish being taken from the reserve, despite fisheries staff saying the fishing was legal.

The amount being taken was a long way over what should be allowed, Mr Spooner said.

"I don't allow that . . . To have a hui you don't need that bloody much, that's greedy, man."

The Fisheries Ministry's acting district compliance manager for Napier, Craig Petherick, said the fishing had been investigated and the permits had been issued legally.

- NZPA