A Coromandel commercial crayfisher is being charged with not reporting his catch, while an amateur fishing charter boat was found with undersized fish following a summer enforcement programme by MPI.

They are among a small number of offences being followed through a multi-agency fisheries compliance operation along the North Island's east coast.

The MPI-led operation involved resources and personnel from the New Zealand Police and the National Maritime Coordination Centre and focused on at-sea inspections of recreational and commercial vessels within the coastal waters of New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The operation covered a large area of coast around the North Island including some isolated and remote areas that are usually difficult to reach by normal patrol methods, says MPI Chief Compliance Officer for Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa, Brent Smith.

'The operation was a good opportunity to check compliance of both recreational and commercial vessels fishing in the area over the summer period.

'More than 150 commercial and recreational vessels were inspected during the patrol, and approximately 300 people, including divers, were spoken to.

'The level of non-compliance was very good overall and it was great to see that the majority of people were doing the right thing.

'Joint operations like this with the Auckland Police Maritime Unit are an invaluable way in which to raise compliance levels. The fact we're out there together sends a very strong message that any incidents of non-compliance will be taken very seriously and those who are caught offending will attract the relevant penalties.”

The aim of the patrols is to support sustainable fisheries management, says Brent. Ensuring and promoting sustainable fisheries is a collective responsibility and MPI encourages people to report poaching or illegal activity by: calling 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) emailing poacher@mpi.govt.nz

Useful information to report includes: The location, a description of the person, the vehicle or trailer registration number. All information is treated as confidential.