Fishing boat seized in Northland swoop

A $550,000 fishing boat has been seized and three men could face up to five years in jail after alleged under-reporting of crayfish catches in Northland.

The Ministry of Fisheries said the 16m commercial vessel and other equipment had been seized after a three-month operation.

Fisheries allege landing returns from the vessel's last 10 trips under-reported its crayfish catch by 700 kg -- worth an estimated $38,500.

Fisheries' Northland district compliance manager Dave Turner said it was likely the men would be charged under the Fisheries Act.

If found guilty they could lose the fishing boat, their quota rights, other equipment, and face up to five years in jail as well as a maximum $250,000 fine.

Mr Turner said all commercial fishers and licensed fish receivers were required to complete accurate landing and or fish receivers' returns at the time of unloading their catch or receiving fish.

"Regrettably, some get greedy and try to increase their profits by under-declaring the weight of their catch."

He said under-reporting of catches undermined the fisheries management system, affected the property rights of quota owners, and the catches of recreational and customary fishers.

- NZPA