Harbour fisher found with 140 scallops

Fisheries officials are fuming after catching a number of people taking excess and undersized scallops from Whangarei Harbour over these holidays.

Ministry of Primary Industries Northland District Compliance Manager Steve Rudsdale said the only real concern for fisheries officers this holiday season had been with those gathering scallops in Whangarei Harbour.

The bag limit for scallops was 20 per fisher per day, with a minimum size of 100mm across the widest part of the shell.

Anybody who breaches the limits commits an offence against the Fisheries Act and faces penalties ranging from infringement fines of $250 to $500, through to court prosecution for more serious offending with penalties of up to $250,000. Vehicles, vessels and fishing gear used in the commission of the offence can be forfeited to the Crown.

As well fishers have to determine the size of the scallops while still on the sea bed and could not take them to the surface to check if they are of legal size.

But Mr Rudsdale said officers had apprehended a number of people in the past week or so who had taken two many scallops, undersized ones, or both. He said many used the excuse that they had simply taken the scallops to the surface to sort out and would then return any undersized ones to the sea.

That was not allowed under fisheries regulations and Mr Rudsdale said those doing so would likely face getting an infringement notice, face court action and potentially have equipment forfeited to the Crown.

He said in the worst case one fisher was found with 140 scallops, despite only having one safety person with him. Mr Rudsdale said there were locals and visitors among those who had been caught.

"He's likely to be prosecuted and the possible forfeiture of his vehicle," Mr Rudsdale said.

Any suspicious activity in the marine environment can be reported to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).