Fisheries New Zealand has issued infringement notices to two individuals amid ongoing investigations into illegal crayfish poaching on Great Barrier Island. The response follows a flurry of community reports about boats blatantly exceeding the legal crayfish limits.
“Fisheries New Zealand is investigating complaints of packhorse crayfish being taken from Great Barrier Island illegally,” said Glen Blackwell, Fisheries New Zealand District Manager for North Harbour. “Two individuals have been issued infringement notices. This is an ongoing investigation.”
The local community has reported several incidents of boats taking well beyond their legal catch limit for crayfish. The combined daily limit for rock lobsters (spiny and packhorse) is six per person. A maximum of three spiny rock lobsters can be taken, and the remainder may be packhorse, with strict size requirements: males must be 84mm, and females must be 90mm. Only divers physically gathering crayfish are permitted to meet the daily limit.
Local residents have also raised concerns about the poachers’ conduct. WIth reports of individuals giving locals offensive gestures and refusing to leave the area when asked, despite being confronted about their activities.
“We are appealing to the public for any information, such as photos of boats and the people fishing illegally. We also want information on where else they might be fishing.” Blackwell said.
Residents are encouraged to report anything suspicious, with Fisheries NZ offering a hotline for tips—0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi.govt.nz. Additionally, the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app is available to ensure fishermen are aware of the rules before going out on the water.
“We would advise people not to take matters into their own hands but instead contact Fisheries New Zealand,” Blackwell said.
This latest round of poaching is similar to an incident last year, which locals believe may involve the same syndicate. In that case, police received a tip-off and intercepted three vessels off the coast of Aotea. The police seized 21 undersized packhorse crayfish, which were returned to the ocean.
Sergeant Peter Comer of the Auckland Maritime Unit reminded poachers that they will eventually be caught. “If you are breaking Fisheries laws, it will only be a matter of time before Police and/or Fisheries New Zealand Fishery Officers end up speaking to you,” he said.
Last month, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced a shake-up of fisheries enforcement, making it easier to issue on-the-spot fines for a range of offences—without having to go through the courts.
“Fisheries offences will be subject to a broader range of penalties to ensure the punishment fits the crime under regulatory changes that come into effect on April 10,” Jones said.
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Thank You. More needs to be done to stop this kind of crap! Perhaps naming some individuals over here on GBI as honorary fisheries officers would help.