Nelson fisherman fined for dredging in reserve

A Nelson fisherman has been fined $15,000 for dredging scallops in a marine reserve in the Marlborough Sounds.

Tony Peter Phillipson and his company Alfred Fishing Ltd both pleaded guilty in Nelson District Court yesterday to taking marine life from Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve for commercial purposes on October 31 last year. The company was convicted and discharged.

Department of Conservation Sounds area manager Roy Grose said the convictions were a reminder to people fishing around marine reserves.

"Marine reserves are now well established in our waters and there can be no excuse for fishing inside their boundaries," Mr Grose said.

"They play an important role in increasing our knowledge of marine ecology."

- NZPA