Fishery officers were patrolling both sides of the Coromandel Peninsula recently with the help of the Auckland-based police vessel Deodar III.

The patrols which occurred last week were concentrated on commercial fishers on both sides of the peninsula as well as around Great Barrier and Little Barrier islands.

Ministry for Primary Industries fishery officers, with the help of Auckland Police maritime unit vessel Deodar III (pictured) boarded 18 vessels during several days of patrolling last week. Photo: Q-West

Whitianga-based fishery officer Jason Howat says they boarded 18 commercial vessels over several days of patrolling, including long-liners, crayfishers and scallop boats.

While on-board each ship officers checked relevant paperwork and reporting before getting down into holds and inspecting catches.

"We make sure that all the catch on board is properly recorded and do some measuring to make sure all species meet their minimum size requirements.”

Fishery officers were also checking restricted areas, where no commercial dredging for scallops is permitted.

Jason says vessels and skippers were meeting their requirements, but they confiscated some illegal cray pots off the east coast of Great Barrier Island and have a few other details to follow up.

'It is always a pleasure working with police aboard the Deodar III, patrolling with the police provides us with much greater visibility.

Ministry for Primary Industries Waikato/Bay of Plenty District compliance manager Brendon Mikkelsen says fishery officers and police patrol together in other high profile areas like the Bay of Islands and Marlborough Sounds.

They also patrol with the Navy and Airforce and get to some pretty far flung places, he adds.

'It doesn't matter where you are fishing in New Zealand, a fishery officer may turn up ask to inspect to your catch.”