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Organisers of a fishing contest are offering a reward after they suspect foul play in a competition.
They are offering a $500 reward to anyone who can prove the winning fish in the Mokihinui angling competition was actually caught in a set net and was not fair game on the end of a hook.
The Fishing Paper editor Daryl Crimp, of Nelson, said the judges were highly suspicious of the person who had claimed the $600 prize for the biggest overall snapper just one hour before the 10-day competition officially ended.
However, they felt obliged to pay out.
"What happened was that someone rang up about 2.30pm on the last day of the competition and asked whether it was still open. He then registered at 3pm and 'caught' the winning snapper a little later," Mr Crimp said.
The "winner" was within the designated boundaries -- but some distance from other anglers -- when the fish was landed and he was not known as a "rod and reel man".
"He had, however, been seen emptying a set net at Hector earlier in the day," Mr Crimp said.
He is now offering a $500 reward for information that might lead to the perpetrators of what he suspects was fishing fraud.
"What aroused further suspicion was that as soon as the prize money was handed over the winner gave it to two shady characters who were hanging around outside. Then, when they were asked to pose for the winning photo they all bolted."
The Fishing Paper sponsored the event but Mr Crimp said the offer of a reward had more to do with protecting the integrity of the competition than 'outing' a cheat.
"People that are out there busting their guts out fishing for 10 days don't deserve to be cheated out of their just rewards. If the winner has nothing to hide he will come forward and explain himself."
Constable Paul Samson, of Westport, said the matter had been reported and was being investigated. Police were following certain leads but were yet to decide what action, if any, would be taken.
- NZPA
