Coastal residents lend eyes to war on poachers

Coastal dwellers will be asked to help watch out for poachers who steal tens of millions of dollars worth of seafood each year.

With the Ministry of Fisheries and commercial fishermen able to monitor only a limited area of the New Zealand coastline, members of the public are being recruited to help spot poachers and provide information that can lead to prosecutions.

From October 1 the eyes and ears of about 40 people living on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds will be used in a trial which will help to track and identify people poaching paua and crayfish.

It is envisaged that similar networks will eventually operate right around the country.

The topic of poaching has been in the spotlight at the Paua Industry Conference being held in Christchurch.

Paua exports are worth $50 million a year to New Zealand. In the past year 103 people have been prosecuted for paua poaching. Last month poached paua worth an estimated $25,000 was seized from the Porirua coast.

"We shouldn't discount the many recreational fishers that do take one or two too many, because that adds up to a lot," said Paua Industry Council chairman Ed Arron.

"But I think the principle damage is the real poachers, out there doing it commercially. And that is organised. The gangs can make more money on paua than they can on drugs, without the same risk."

Ministry of Fisheries national surveillance manager Dean Baigent said there was no silver bullet in fighting organised poaching groups. Surveillance officers were out trying to stop the poaching and investigators were focusing on the movement of illegal stocks in the black market.

"We only have 103 of our fisheries officers to cover the New Zealand coastline, so there are huge gaps. What it requires is constant pressure. A number of the guys involved in [poaching] are recidivists," said Mr Baigent.

Project spokesman Jim Bryant said the spotters in the Marlborough Sounds were not paid but were happy to give their time and energy for the cause.

"It's not about being hands-on, it's only information gathering, and with support from the ministry. Everybody's got a [poaching] story to tell when you talk to them as well. We want to tap into that information."

Spotters' identities would be kept secret and their information sent to a local co-ordinator, who could then evaluate it and pass it on to the ministry.

Mr Arron said he was encouraged by Government initiatives such as paua-sniffing dogs being trained to combat illegal exports.

"The tide, I think, is now turning. I'm becoming confident that we will make fish thieving a sunset industry."