KEY POINTS:
The Ministry of Fisheries fears for the future of Banks Peninsula's paua beds because of the activities of poachers.
"The concern is that the peninsula is becoming a common target for poaching which will result in the destruction of the resource," ministry prosecutor Grant Fletcher said when a 27-year-old Christchurch man admitted charges of taking undersized shellfish, and exceeding the daily limit of 10.
Eruera Petatekahure Reuben's hearing before Judge Stephen Erber in Christchurch District Court was adjourned to April 21 for sentencing.
Judge Erber indicated a term of community work could be imposed for the offending on November 25.
Mr Fletcher said Reuben was with four associates taking paua at Boulder Bay, which is near Godley Head, when the group was seen by fishery officers.
Afterwards, backpacks carried by Reuben and one associate contained shelled paua which would have come out of shells "significantly below" the 125mm limit. There were 187 paua in the packs.
Reuben - who left before he could be interviewed, but was found later - said he did not know the daily limit and he had no measuring device.
Those questioned gave varying stories about who had taken paua in breach of the regulations.
- NZPA
