A haul of over 100 undersized paua from Maketu has cost a pair of Paengaroa men $1250.
Te Ngaue Richard Roberts, 32, and Wharehuia Toheriri Roberts, 34, were stopped by Ministry for Primary Industries compliance officers on Newdicks Beach, Maketu in October last year.
Two Maketu men have been fined for poaching undersized paua.
The two pleaded guilty when they appeared in Tauranga District Court on Thursday, March 5.
Officers inspected their catch and found 102 paua, 101 of which were undersized and ranged in size from 73mm to 102mm.
Recreational gatherers can take 10 paua per person, per day. The minimum length is 125mm.
MPI District Compliance Manager Waikato/Bay of Plenty Brendon Mikkelsen says paua is a highly valued resource and it is very disappointing that some peoples' actions continue to put its future sustainability at risk.
'People who are caught taking too many or undersized paua can expect an instant fine, and in serious cases may lose any cars, boats and equipment used in the offending,” says Brendon.
People can report any suspicious fishing activity or illegal sales to: 0800 476 224. All calls are confidential.
5 comments
To Add
Posted on 12-03-2015 08:13 | By Capt_Kaveman
once fined people should be banned from collecting anywhere for 5 years
Overit
Posted on 12-03-2015 12:00 | By overit
Greedy sods.
Dollar down
Posted on 12-03-2015 16:55 | By sundance kid
and a dollar a week. Big deal!
seesee
Posted on 13-03-2015 09:07 | By SeeSee
Sentence not severe enough
How feeble
Posted on 03-05-2017 16:05 | By peecee09
I would have thought 100 undersized Paua would be seen as being a serious breach warranting the seizure of their boat and car as well as a fine. It's time to get serious with these thieving poachers and put them in jail. We are all sick of these crooked theives.
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