A commercial fisherman has been fined $4000 and had more than $20,000 in equipment seized for fishing out of season.
Ronald John Hunter, 68, was convicted and sentenced in the Manukau District Court on Monday on two counts of taking finfish from Auckland's inner Hauraki Gulf during closed season, and two counts of leaving a set net in the water for more than 18 hours.
He was fined $1000 on each count and his 5.8m aluminium fishing boat, motor, trailer and nets were forfeited to the Crown.
Proceeds from the sale of closed season fish were also seized.
Ministry of Fisheries Auckland field operations manager Grey Keys said Hunter was caught during a surveillance operation.
Mr Keys said he was disappointed an experienced fisherman had flouted the rules.
"Both the seasonal closure and the 18-hour restriction support the sustainability of the fishery and keep it as healthy as possible," he said.
"A commercial fisher who ignores those rules is effectively compromising both their own livelihood and that of his colleagues."
Mr Keys said it was the second time Hunter had appeared in court on fisheries charges.
