About 35 police and fisheries officers busted a black market fishing ring worth tens of thousands of dollars in Southland early today.
The operation involved two commercial fishermen allegedly supplying blue cod, rock lobster and oysters to associates, who then on-sold the seafood illegally to the wider community.
The men had been under serious surveillance for the last six months before this morning's raids of about eight Southland houses, whose occupants had allegedly received stolen fish, Ministry of Fisheries district compliance manager Reece Murphy told NZPA.
He could not put a dollar value on the scam but said it would have been in the tens of thousands of dollars.
"We're talking high value species." The investigation was in its early stages and a decision about what charges the men would face would be made over the next week, Mr Murphy said.
People knowingly contravening the Fisheries Act to obtain a benefit could face up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000. They could also have to forfeit their fishing gear, including boats.
Mr Murphy said continued black market activity could place the sustainability of fish stocks in jeopardy.
"Unfortunately there continues to be those amongst the general public who are willing to buy cheap but illegal fish. "It is these buyers that create the market for illegal fish sellers to operate.
"If you're offered cheap fish and it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Fishery officers would be contacting a number of people who had been buying the illegal fish, he said.
"Anyone who now on reflection believes that they may have unwittingly bought suspect rock lobster, blue cod or oysters recently is encouraged to contact the Ministry of Fisheries Invercargill office before fishery officers have to contact them."
