A Ministry of Fisheries officer is in hot water with his bosses after an April Fool's prank reporting a severed human arm being found in a trawl net.
The ministry said one of its observers on a deepwater vessel fishing at sea reported the severed arm in an attempted April Fool's Day joke.
But the report had been taken seriously, and the New Zealand police were involved and were considering a search and rescue operation before the observer admitted the report was a joke.
"As soon as the Ministry of Fisheries became aware that this incident did not actually occur, the police were advised immediately to avoid any further wasting of police time," MFish chief executive Wayne McNee said in a statement today.
He said the ministry's observer programme, supporting the sustainable management of New Zealand's fisheries and marine environment, relied on its reputation for integrity and professionalism.
"This is an isolated incident that is very disappointing," Mr McNee said.
"As this incident will be the subject of a staff disciplinary process and could also be the subject of a police investigation, the Ministry of Fisheries will not be making any further comment at this time."
