Crayfishing boat seized

File photo / Northern Advocate

A commercial crayfishing boat has been seized by Ministry of Fishery officers in the Gisborne-East Coast area.

Charges are yet to be laid but an individual will face "quite serious charges" once the matter goes to court, says MFish Gisborne/East Coast Eastern Bay of Plenty field operations manager Tom Teneti.

"The vessel seizure is an indication that this is a serious matter."

Charges were expected to be laid after investigations, which could take one to two weeks.

Mfish had not made a decision to return the vessel at this stage, pending completion of ongoing inquiries, Mr Teneti said.

- NZPA