MPI compliance officers make fishy finding

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) compliance officers had a nasty surprise while conducting a routine inspection recently. While inspecting a recreational fishing vessel in New Zealand’s Kawakawa Bay to ensure the owners were in their daily recreational catch limits, the officers came across more than 200 rotting snapper.

The fish presented by the boat owners were all of legal size, but upon further inspection, a compliance officer uncovered a fish wrapped in a tarpaulin and disguised under the boat’s floor boards. A closer inspection revealed a further 40 snapper - including three undersized fish - hidden under the floor of the boat.

The boat was seized by the officers and stored at MPI’s secure exhibits shed for the weekend. Arriving at work the following Monday, the officers smelt something fishy - literally. Noting that the smell was coming from the seized boat, they used a drill to remove a panel at the front of the boat. In a compartment under the seat, the officers found 208 rotting snapper.

“This kind of blatant disregard for the rules has the potential to ruin New Zealand fisheries for everyone,” said Michael Greenstreet, MPI district compliance manager, Manakau.

“If convicted of this offence the perpetrators could face a fine of up to $250,000, a community-based sentence and forfeit any item used in the commission of the offence - in this case the vessel.

“If it wasn’t for the great work of the officers involved, this offence would have gone undetected.”

Greenstreet urged the public to report any suspicious fishing activity by calling 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).

“Despite the great work of our officers, we also rely on the public to let us know if they see any unlawful activity,” Greenstreet said. “We all have a part to play to protect our fisheries.”

Further information about fishing rules and limits is available at www.fish.govt.nz.