Serious charges likely over flounder catch

Prosecution is ''likely'' after two fishers took far more than the flounder catch allowance....
Prosecution is ''likely'' after two fishers took far more than the flounder catch allowance. Photo by ODT.

People taking more and smaller fish than allowed under fishing regulations made up the majority of those caught by fisheries officers over the holiday period.

Figures released by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) shows in Otago, from December 10 to January 11, 10 people received warnings, 14 infringement notices were issued and one prosecution was ''likely''.

For MPI, the Otago region includes South Canterbury and the one ''likely'' prosecution related to two fishers being found with 261 flounder at Caroline Bay, in Timaru, when the limit was 30 per person.

''Serious fisheries charges are likely to be laid,'' MPI compliance director Dean Baigent said.

The 25 offences included people taking paua below the 125mm minimum size limit or more than the 10 per person per day and flounder, cockles (more than 150 per person per day), blue cod (under the minimum size of 30cm) and the shellfish Cooks turbans (more than 50 per person per day).

''Very warm weather and calm sea conditions made paua habitat very accessible in some areas.''

There were also some instances of people breaking the regulations for set nets.

In Southland, MPI had issued 15 warnings, four infringements and was likely to prosecute a man who was caught with 86 toheroa, which were a ''no take'' species.

MPI Otago district compliance manager Murray Pridham said non-compliance was very similar to other years but the difference this summer was the number of people inspected.

''Due to the ideal fishing conditions along the coast, there were far more inspected.''

The biggest problem was people taking undersize shellfish, or more than allowed.

''There is a lot of information ... on the rules that is readily available on MPI's website or on phone apps. There is no excuse.''

People could also contact MPI officers to request hard copies of the information, he said.

''Before people go fishing, they need to make every effort to find out the rules for the areas where they are going fishing.''

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

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