Former fishing firm boss jailed over black market snapper operation
Glen Owen Wright was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last Thursday for his role as a former director of All Weather Fishing Company Limited.
Prosecutors said Wright's company illegally caught and landed nearly 15 tonnes of snapper, and more than 140kg of kahawai and 40kg of grey mullet.
The 37-year-old faced a representative charge under the Fisheries Act for failing to prevent the offending, along with obstructing a fishery officer, according to Fisheries NZ.
Wright is currently imprisoned for unrelated offences.
ADVERTISEMENT
A Fisheries NZ spokesperson said the sentencing of Wright in the agency's case marked the end of a "long" investigation, which included successful prosecutions of another company and individuals for related offending.
"The court's sentence ... should send a strong message that there are serious consequences for anyone involved in this type of black market trade," said fisheries compliance director Steve Ham.
"The company did not have the required quota to legally catch the fish and did not report or record the catch. The rules are there to ensure sustainability for everyone.
"The court found Mr Wright was aware that fish was being caught and landed illegally by his company but did nothing to prevent it.
"The vast majority of commercial fishers do the right thing. This fish was stolen, and the motivation was greed and profit."
The illegally caught fish was tracked to another prosecution case, Fisheries NZ said.
In August last year, Sea World Limited, which traded as Seamart, and an employee, Marco Taukatelata, were sentenced at the Auckland District Court.
ADVERTISEMENT
Taukatelata was handed a jail term of three years and seven months.
A former company director, 43-year-old Haihong Liu, also appeared in court and was sentenced to 12 months' home detention on two charges, including an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Seamart was fined $360,000 for illegally supplying fish valued at over $348,000 to other seafood companies last year, according to Fisheries NZ.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Scoop
Police Arrest Three, Seize Synthetic Cannabis And Firearms In Canterbury
Three people have been arrested, and synthetic cannabis, cash, and ammunition seized, following five search warrants in Christchurch this morning. Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger, from Canterbury's Organised Crime Team, says there has been an increase in the manufacture and supply of synthetic cannabis across the district over the last month. In today's warrants, Police located: one firearm significant cash imitation firearms 50 rounds of ammunition 7.7 kg of packaged synthetic cannabis – estimated at around $200,000 in street value possessions seized as suspected assets from criminal offending. Synthetic cannabis has been the most lethal form of illicit substances in New Zealand in recent years, having been implicated in at least 70 deaths. In talking with local retail staff, and with people sleeping rough, Detective Sergeant Grainger says the Christchurch Community Beat Team was hearing about issues related to synthetic cannabis use. 'Although this is not a top-of-the-line 'sexy' drug, the significant increase in the supply of synthetic cannabis lately has affected retail offending and disorderly behaviour,' Detective Seargeant Grainger says. 'It appears to have added to crime and disorder reported by local business leaders in the Christchurch area,' he says. 'We're pleased to have these people before the court, but we won't stop there, we continue to investigate so our communities can be safe and feel safe.' A 51-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, and unlawful possession of a firearm, and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today. A 52-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, money laundering, and unlawful possession of ammunition and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today. A 44-year-old man was arrested on charges of possessing a non-approved psychoactive product for supply, and for selling a non-approved psychoactive product, and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court 5 September. Further charges are likely. High Alert, New Zealand's drug early warning system, has issued five notifications [1] related to serious synthetic cannabis harm over the last four years. More information on synthetic cannabis is available here [2]. If people choose to use this substance, drug checking is recommended to lower the risks. Anyone who needs assistance for drug dependency is encouraged to find help or contact the Alcohol Drug support line on 0800 787 797. Please call 111 if you witness any unlawful activity happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact, with as much information as you can safely gather. Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
1News
21 hours ago
- 1News
Man on mobility scooter killed by unlicensed, speeding motorcyclist
A Coroner has called out New Zealand's "persistent and troubling tolerance" for unlicensed driving after investigating the death of an elderly man who was struck by a motorcyclist while travelling on a mobility scooter. Coroner Ian Telford's findings were released to the public on Wednesday. He found Edward Duffy, 88, died as a result of blunt force injuries when the mobility scooter he was riding was struck by a motorcycle ridden by Colin Rondon who was unlicensed and speeding. On November 21 2023, Duffy had been riding his mobility scooter across a pedestrian crossing in Rotorua town centre. "As he was crossing - against a red pedestrian signal - he saw a motorcycle approaching at speed. In an attempt to avoid a collision, he turned his scooter. However, the motorcycle struck the left rear side of the scooter, throwing Mr Duffy to the ground. Mr Duffy died at the scene," the Coroner's report said. ADVERTISEMENT On June 4 2025, Rondon was sentenced to three years and two months imprisonment in the Rotorua District Court after pleading guilty to charges of dangerous driving causing death. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including teachers walk off the job, explosion at vet clinic caught on camera, and a diamond heist doesn't pay off. (Source: 1News) He had eight previous offences for driving while disqualified or driving while his license was suspended or revoked. His driving had also attracted 105 incidents of demerit points. Coroner Telford found Rondon had never held a motorcycle license. "I perceive there to be a persistent and troubling degree of tolerance for unlicensed individuals using public roads in New Zealand," Telford said. This had been a long-standing public safety concern for him, he said. "No individual should be operating any kind of vehicle on public roads unless and until they have demonstrated to the state that they possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgement to do so safely. ADVERTISEMENT "The licensing process exists precisely to ensure that all road users meet a minimum standard of competence before being entrusted with the responsibility of sharing the road." In his final discussion, Telford appealed to New Zealanders to take the time to get properly trained and licensed before using a vehicle on public roads. "These are not just legal requirements - they are essential safeguards for your life and the lives of others."
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Cancer fraudsters due to reappear in Christchurch court
The couple's white late-model Range Rover. PHOTO: NZ POLICE A storage unit linked to an accused fake cancer fraudster couple living in Wānaka contained restricted weapons, and over 2000 rounds of ammunition, police say. The unit was searched as part of the probe into Andrew Stewart Jones (28) and Sepiuta Setaita Vave (38) who are accused of defrauding friends and family to the tune of $1 million with a bogus cancer diagnosis. Police investigating the fraud said in a statement they had now identified 10 potential victims of the pair. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said four more potential victims had come forward, while police enquiries have identified another three potential victims. 'This is on top of the three people who had already made complaints to police, and resulted in the arrests of the pair,' he says. The couple are due to reappear in Christchurch District Court on Monday, August 25, on multiple charges of obtaining by deception. A search warrant conducted on a storage unit in Wānaka as part of the enquiry last week located a .22 rifle, restricted weapons, and over 2000 rounds of ammunition. Further enquiries in relation to the warrant are ongoing, and charges were likely to be filed in coming weeks. 'Members of the Tasman Organised Crime Unit are in the process of contacting all identified victims in order to obtain statements in relation to any offending.' Previously living on the West Coast, the couple had recently moved to Wānaka where they had been "living the high life" with rented properties and high-end European cars, Det Snr Sgt Dye said. Police photos supplied to the Otago Daily Times show the couple's white late-model Range Rover. "Their lavish lifestyle has been funded with money allegedly defrauded from family, friends and associates, for cancer treatment that inquiries show was never required and never obtained."
