A tip-off about a Facebook post has led to an investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries into an illegal fish-selling operation in Oamaru.
The ministry’s Otago district compliance manager, Murray Pridham, said the tip about the sale of mullet on the Oamaru Buy, Sell and Exchange Facebook page came through its 0800 poacher phone service about mid-November.
He said that under the Fisheries Act 1996, the ministry would be pursuing a conviction and possible fine for the person of interest. However, he would not reveal any identifying features of the alleged offender, not even gender.
Under legislation, fish can only be bought from a commercial fisher or a commercially operated fish retailer, as it is illegal to buy and sell recreationally caught fish.
Penalties can include a maximum fine of $250,000 and the forfeiture of any property used in committing the offence.
Mr Pridham said at this stage it was believed the 220 mullets involved in the sales were sourced from an Otago river estuary. The fish were then sold in bags of about a dozen for $20.
He said work was under way to build the case against the Oamaru person who investigators believed was responsible for the post.
"To prove the sale, we have to talk to the people who received the fish. We’re trying to look at the number of people who may have received this product illegally."
He said he was expecting the court case to begin next year.
