Pillaging of crayfish and paua 'could amount to $4 million yearly'

Organised crime gangs are stealing tonnes of Wairarapa crayfish and paua every year.

"It could well be 100 tonnes a year or more being burgled from the Wairarapa, which means about $4 million worth being taken every year and it's being going on for years," said Owen Fairbrother of Greytown, director of Abalone Divers (Northern) Company.

Mr Fairbrother, whose company comprises 12 quota owners, said the Ministry of Fisheries had "a year or so ago" warned that up to 200 tonnes of paua was being illegally taken from the south coast of Wellington.

"But we know the burglars have moved north to our area. The Wairarapa coastline is in large part inaccessible, unpopulated and very hard to police. You can't just drive along the coast looking for poachers. It's easier to poach fisheries in Wairarapa than the south coast near Wellington."

Mr Fairbrother said it was also known that gangs and organised crime were forsaking activities such as illegal drug manufacture and supply for paua poaching.

"It's comparable in dollar terms, easier to get away with and there's little risk of jail.

"Even though the courts are coming to realise more severe penalties are needed, all you really get if you're caught is a slap on the wrist.

"Burglars are catching say 100 kilos of paua and shelling it in the water. They dump the shell and gut and come out with 40 kilos of meat, all they really want, which is easier to carry and hide and maybe come back later to pick up."

Mr Fairbrother said those supplying the black market took all they caught, regardless of size. "Poachers are a threat to everyone if breeding stock is taken, not just a danger for commercial divers and quota owners. Everyone loses."

- NZPA