Almost 2000 pāua worth $25,000 seized in Wellington
Two men have been caught with a "huge haul" of illegally harvested pāua by Wellington fishery officers.
The officers discovered 1863 pāua while inspecting the pairs vessel shortly after it landed at Titahi Bay on Tuesday afternoon.
Fisheries New Zealand regional manager Phil Tasker said that the "huge haul" of pāua had already been shucked, and the two men would likely face charges under the Fisheries Act.
"There is a maximum daily limit of five pāua per fisher in this area, which gives some context to the scale of this offending and the potential damage it could do to the pāua population," Tasker said.
The estimated retail value of the pāua was $25,000.
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"Offending on this scale is incredibly disappointing to see. This fishery is a shared resource, and the rules are there to protect its sustainability for everyone."
Wellington was recently found to be the worst place in the country for pāua poaching, with 30% of people checked breaking the law.
Officers checking people on the coast find almost one in three is over the bag limit. (Source: 1News)
Generally, one in 10 people checked nationwide were found to be over the limit with their pāua or undersized juveniles.
Tasker had previously said sometimes "extreme amounts of pāua has been taken for commercial gain as a saleable commodity".
"Most fishers go out there wanting to do the right thing and follow the rules." People could check the rules for their area by downloading the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
"Our message for those who think they can steal this shared resource is that we will pursue offending, and there will be consequences," Tasker said.
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The public was asked to report illegal takes to the 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24).
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1News
7 hours ago
- 1News
Almost 2000 pāua worth $25,000 seized in Wellington
Two men have been caught with a "huge haul" of illegally harvested pāua by Wellington fishery officers. The officers discovered 1863 pāua while inspecting the pairs vessel shortly after it landed at Titahi Bay on Tuesday afternoon. Fisheries New Zealand regional manager Phil Tasker said that the "huge haul" of pāua had already been shucked, and the two men would likely face charges under the Fisheries Act. "There is a maximum daily limit of five pāua per fisher in this area, which gives some context to the scale of this offending and the potential damage it could do to the pāua population," Tasker said. The estimated retail value of the pāua was $25,000. ADVERTISEMENT "Offending on this scale is incredibly disappointing to see. This fishery is a shared resource, and the rules are there to protect its sustainability for everyone." Wellington was recently found to be the worst place in the country for pāua poaching, with 30% of people checked breaking the law. Officers checking people on the coast find almost one in three is over the bag limit. (Source: 1News) Generally, one in 10 people checked nationwide were found to be over the limit with their pāua or undersized juveniles. Tasker had previously said sometimes "extreme amounts of pāua has been taken for commercial gain as a saleable commodity". "Most fishers go out there wanting to do the right thing and follow the rules." People could check the rules for their area by downloading the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. "Our message for those who think they can steal this shared resource is that we will pursue offending, and there will be consequences," Tasker said. ADVERTISEMENT The public was asked to report illegal takes to the 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24).
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fishermen caught with more than 1800 pāua in Porirua facing charges
A fifth of the1863 pāua fishery officers discovered on a vessel. Photo: Supplied / Fisheries New Zealand A pair of fishers are likely to face charges after being caught with more than 1800 pāua in Porirua. The pāua was seized by fishery officers based in Wellington earlier this week. "While inspecting a vessel shortly after it landed at Titahi Bay on Tuesday afternoon, fishery officers discovered 1863 pāua, which had already been shucked," Fisheries New Zealand regional Manager Phil Tasker said. The estimated retail value of the pāua was approximately $25,000. Tasker said it was one of the biggest hauls of illegally harvested pāua in recent times. "There is a maximum daily limit of five pāua per fisher in this area, which gives some context to the scale of this offending, and the potential damage it could do to the pāua population." The case is still under investigation, but Tasker said the two men in possession of the shellfish were likely to face charges under the Fisheries Act. He said it was incredibly disappointing to see offending of this scale. "This fishery is a shared resource, and the rules are there to protect its sustainability for everyone. Our message for those who think they can steal this shared resource is that we will pursue offending and there will be consequences." Tasker said most fishers wanted to follow the rules. "The best way to stay on top of the rules for the area you're fishing or gathering shellfish in is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app," he said. The Ministry for Primary Industries encouraged people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry's 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24). Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
Fishery Officers Nab Pair With More Than 1800 Pāua
Fishery Officers based in Wellington have found and confiscated one of the biggest hauls of illegally harvested pāua in recent times, says Fisheries New Zealand regional Manager Phil Tasker. 'While inspecting a vessel shortly after it landed at Titahi Bay on Tuesday afternoon, Fishery Officers discovered 1,863 pāua, which had already been shucked. This is a huge haul of pāua, and the two men in possession of the shellfish are likely to face charges under the Fisheries Act,' says Mr Tasker. 'There is a maximum daily limit of five pāua per fisher in this area, which gives some context to the scale of this offending, and the potential damage it could do to the pāua population. 'Offending on this scale is incredibly disappointing to see. This fishery is a shared resource, and the rules are there to protect its sustainability for everyone. Our message for those who think they can steal this shared resource is that we will pursue offending and there will be consequences.' 'Most fishers go out there wanting to do the right thing and follow the rules. The best way to stay on top of the rules for the area you're fishing or gathering shellfish in is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app,' says Mr Tasker. The estimated retail value of the pāua is approximately $25,000. The case is still under investigation.
