Illegal paua and fish seized in Northland

Illegal paua confiscated by fisheries officers.

These four illegal sized trevally were landed in the Whangarei Harbour. The largest was 12.3cm, which is less than half the legal size of 25cm. Photo/Supplied

Fishers landed trevally half the legal size on Whangarei Harbour while poachers took excess and undersized paua from the west coast.

Ministry of Primary Industries officers have revealed the latest illegal catches around the region and say those caught breaching the rules will be fined and have equipment used to collect the seafood confiscated.

While out on the beat late last month officers nabbed people who did not seem concerned about the fish and shellfish size, and quantity limits they had collected.

Northland MPI chief compliance officer Phil Tasker said a fisherman off Marsden Point wharf had landed four trevally, all of which were undersize.

The largest fish measured 12.3cm - well under the legal length of 25cm.

"It's disappointing people are keeping these fish when they clearly are not a legal size," Mr Tasker said.

The fish were seized and returned to the sea. The fisherman was issued with a fine.

A day later four men stopped separately on the west coast were all found to have collected excess paua, the bulk of which were undersize.

One had collected more than four times the daily limit of mussels.

On of the men, from the Hokianga area, had his vehicle confiscated after gathering 45 paua - 40 of which did not make the minimum measurement of 12.5cm. The legal daily catch limit for paua is 10 per person.

As he was in possession of three times the daily catch limit he will now appear in court.
A second diver had 49 paua, only two of which were of a legal size.

The third man had 223 mussels, nearly more than four times the daily limit of mussels of 50 per person. Both men will be making court appearances.

A fourth diver was fined after being nabbed with 30 paua, with only two making the legal limit.

All the illegal shellfish were returned to the ocean.

"It's really disappointing that all the people we stopped and checked on that west coast were all taking excess and undersize shellfish," Mr Tasker said.

"A reminder to all that these limits are put in place for a reason, that is to ensure the resource can been used whilst remaining sustainable."

All were Northlanders.

Feedback on the MPI Fisheries - Northland page supported the actions of the officers.

Bronson Reti said: "Good work busting them sad that they did it in the first place."

These were the sentiments of Paul Carnahan: "Lets hope they don't get a wet bus ticket fine and loose their car and gear."

The most succinct statement was from Toni Ambler: "What is it with people....measure and count your catch...simple."