Checkpoint uncovers massive illegal pāua haul

MPI fishery officers inspect part of the illegal haul. Photo / Supplied

A joint Ministry for Primary Industries and police checkpoint in Taranaki has uncovered a massive illegal haul of pāua, the majority of which were undersized.

MPI fishery officers and police stopped and inspected cars travelling on State Highway 45 near Okato last week to coincide with low spring tides – an event that traditionally sees large numbers of people take excessive amounts of shellfish, particularly pāua.

MPI spokesman Jason Howat said the south Taranaki coastline was an area of high risk of offending, in part, due to its isolation and vastness.

He said a number of people received warnings and infringements for exceeding the daily limit of pāua and kina and for taking undersized pāua.

"What was staggering was the discovery of four people with a total of 736 pāua, 703 of which were undersized. Investigations are continuing into this. A vehicle ... was seized by fishery officers," said Howat.

"This was an extremely disappointing discovery particularly given the fact that the Taranaki region has a lower minimum legal size catch limit (85mm) than the rest of the country. This is because the Taranaki pāua are naturally small and never reach the minimum legal size of 125mm that applies to the rest of the country.

"They also mature and breed at a much smaller size. So they are particularly vulnerable from the outset."

Mr Howat says the 2-day checkpoint also resulted in one set net being seized and a number of people being given infringements and fines totalling $1750 for taking undersized and excess pāua as well excess kina.

Pāua - undersized and in excess of legal catch limit. Photo / Supplied

"These checkpoints are very worthwhile for both MPI and police. From MPI's point of view, we have a job to protect the sustainability of our local fisheries resource. Abusing our fisheries and taking in excess of the daily limit for any fish or shellfish is never acceptable.

"On top of that, providing and sustaining a black market for those who are taking illegally, will not be tolerated."

Fisheries officers returned all of the shellfish to the sea.

Check out the fishing rules for your area here.