Fisheries officers net 36 offences during coronavirus lockdown

Friday, 15 May 2020

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regional fisheries compliance manager Andre Espinoza says he is surprised and impressed with the level of compliance with the rules during lockdown.

As alert level 2 dawned on New Zealand, boaties desperate to break their long fishing dry spell were finally able to take to the water.

But a few had trouble playing by the rules.

Senior fishery officer Chris Hearfield at Auckland's Cockle Bay on Friday.

On Thursday, fisheries officers nabbed a couple of people with undersized snapper, according to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regional fisheries compliance manager Andre Espinoza.

The next morning, MPI staff were out and about by 7am attending poaching calls.

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MPI regional fisheries compliance manager Andre Espinoza surveys Cockle Bay on Friday morning.

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MPI senior fishery officer Chris Hearfield (left) and fishery officer Paul Cummings keep an eye on Cockle Bay in Auckland.

Auckland-based Espinoza said staff had anticipated a rush at the boat ramps from Thursday, but it hadn't eventuated.

Cockle Bay beach, in Howick, was largely deserted on Friday morning.

That was set to change as good weather continued into Saturday, he said.

The lack of shellfish gatherers at Cockle Bay reflected a slow start for recreational fishers in level two.

“The weather's looking really good, so I'd say it'll be a bit of a traffic jam down at the ramps.”

During lockdown alert level 4, all recreational fishing and shellfish gathering was prohibited.

In level three, shore-based local fishing was allowed but powerboats remained off limits.

Espinoza said during lockdown, MPI conducted more than 1200 patrols, including 830 inspections.

The inspections found 36 separate offences, many relating to illegal set netting practices such as unmarked nets blocking channels.

The worst offending he was aware of during lockdown was shellfish gatherers taking excess and undersized paua at Cornwallis, near the entrance to Manukau Harbour.

But overall, he was happy with how things have been going during the coronavirus era in New Zealand.

“We've actually been really surprised and really impressed with the amount of compliance,'' he said.

Espinoza urged people to swat up on the rules around minimum sizes and catch limits if they were planning to drop a line over or collect shellfish at the weekend.

“I know everyone's been holed up for a few weeks and I know they're champing at the bit to get out there, so just stick to the rules.”

“I think that it's going to be a good weekend.”

Information on size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.

Poaching and other illegal fishing activities can be reported on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24).