Size Does Matter When Collecting N.Z. Shellfish
Illegal Seafood Gathering Results in Fines in New Zealand
Apr 22, 2009
Heading down to the coast to gather some shellfish for dinner is considered by many to be an intrinsic part of life in New Zealand. According to a recent report from the Ministry of Fisheries, people are not pleased when someone is caught abusing the rules on shellfish gathering.
Hotline to Raise Awareness
A public awareness campaign, ‘Size Does Matter’, has been launched by the Ministry of Fisheries. This campaign focuses on getting help from the public to stop illegal fishing and seafood harvesting on the coast. Calls to the hotline have allowed the public to report suspicious or illegal fishing activity around the country.
The illegal gathering of inshore shellfish in New Zealand is a big problem, in particular green-lipped mussel, paua and pipi. Dealing with people disregarding the rules on collecting species such as these, is a priority for the Ministry of Fisheries.
The Ministry of Fisheries district compliance manager, Ian Bright wants members of the public to ring the hotline when they observe poaching. "People who take more than their fair share of fish or shellfish are basically stealing from the other members of their community," said Mr Bright.
According to Andrew Coleman, national manager of compliance at the Ministry of Fisheries, a 38% increase in calls to 0800 4 POACHER shows the message is starting to get through. Mr Coleman says “we need help in stopping greedy fishers plundering our fisheries”.
Limits Make Sure Fisheries Stocks Are Sustainable
There are very simple reasons for the rules that are in place for fishing and seafood gathering. Taking undersize shellfish means stocks never have a chance to recover. The limits are there to make sure the fisheries are able to sustainably restock themselves.
The Ministry of Fisheries are coming down hard on this illegal activity. Fishery officers have seized millions of dollars worth of boats, vehicles and fishing gear last year from recreational fishers, organised fish thieves and commercial fishers all caught breaking the law.
In the March 2009 NZ Herald article entitled “Man fined for taking 10 times limit for pipi” the accused had previously told a Fishery officer that he did not know the daily limit for pipi. The judge ruling on the decision said he believed everyone in New Zealand knew there were limits on shellfish gathering.
With all this raised awareness, the next time some one is spotted at the beach taking more than their fair share; a member of the public might just call the Hotline and make sure the poachers are caught.
The two things to remember when out there collecting are: don’t take more than the daily limit and don’t take undersized fish or shellfish.
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