Family made thousands from 'calculated plunder'

A family of five who made hundreds of dollars a day selling black market fish have been given hefty sentences.

The gang was caught last year after Fisheries officers found Martin Horne, 61, taking large numbers of flounder from the Manukau Harbour.

He was working with four other family members to poach and illegally distribute the fish in South Auckland.

Yesterday Horne, described as the ringleader of the operation, was ordered to complete 350 hours of community work for what was described as severe, long-term and calculated plunder of a valuable community resource.

Fisheries officers say the group would catch up to 300 fish at a time. The daily limit for recreational fishermen is just 20.

The fish were then sold for $20 a bag. Up to 30 bags were sold during a weekend, netting the family $600 for a couple of days' work.

Fisheries district compliance manager Ian Bright said the bust was one of the largest of its kind in Auckland.

Black market poaching harmed the quota management system and the rights of recreational fishers who did abide by the rules.

"These five were basically stealing this fish from the rest of us and then selling it to a selected few in their area."

Mr Bright said it was disappointing so many people were prepared to buy the black market fish, but he praised those who dobbed in the family.

The ministry has seized property from Ernest Chapman and plans to seize more property from the other three, who were sentenced in the Manukau District Court yesterday.


Manukau Fish Gang

* Ringleader Martin Horne, 61, unemployed former commercial fisherman: 350 hours' community work.

* Martin's nephew Jacob Horne, 42, unemployed, of Mangere: $5000 in fines and court costs.

* Jacob's ex-partner Fenny Harry, 40, beneficiary, of Mangere: 200 hours' community work.

* Martin's cousin Ernest Chapman, 51, invalid beneficiary, of Kaitaia: 250 hours' community work. His 4.6m boat and $12,000 ute and set net forfeited to the Crown.

* Martin's brother Jeffery Horne, 58, unemployed truck driver and former commercial fisherman: $2050 in fines and court costs.