Navy joins war on marine poachers

6.00pm

The navy is coming to the aid of the Department of Conservation in defending Northland's marine life.

The Navy ship Kahu has nabbed poachers in Northland waters twice in the last 12 months and DOC said more visits were in the pipeline.

This week Commodore David Ledson and Lieutenant Commander Tony Grubb visited the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve to discuss how enforcement measures in the reserve and on the island itself could be improved.

DOC biodiversity manager Keith Hawkins said a joint programme would cover a wide area of Northland's coastline and islands.

He said the sophisticated navy surveillance equipment would be useful to curb illegal activities.

DOC's current tactics included undercover rangers in snorkelling gear, pre-dawn patrols in unmarked boats and the use of remote video cameras to nab poachers.

Mr Hawkins said the navy's involvement enabled DOC to work in harsher weather conditions and at night.

The navy's surveillance equipment also had a long reach. Boats could be watched from kilometres away, making it harder for poachers to dodge detection, he said.

Lt Cdr Grubb said the operations with DOC were part of a nationwide drive for the defence force to work in conjunction with other departments.

"The Northland region appears to be very pro-active in maritime matters and is geographically handy to Auckland, so we are using our activities in Northland not only to provide and benefit DOC, but also a learning curve for us so we can improve our service with other government agencies around the country," Mr Grubb said.

Meanwhile, three people allegedly caught fishing illegally near the Pinnacles in January will be taken to court, DOC compliance and law enforcement co-ordinator for the Northland conservancy Ross Atkinson said.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)

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