Marine NZ

Date Posted: 09 Jul 2008 | 0 Comments

By DEANNA HARRIS - Whangarei Leader | Tuesday, 08 July 2008

Recreational fishermen are ending up in front of a judge after being caught fishing in marine reserves in Whangarei Harbour.
Alan Fleming, a marine protection ranger with the Department of Conservation in Whangarei, says staff members have had enough of people breaking the law by fishing in the reserves.
In the past six months 38 anglers have been caught fishing in the harbour and Poor Knights Islands marine reserves.

By DEANNA HARRIS - Whangarei Leader | Tuesday, 08 July 2008

Recreational fishermen are ending up in front of a judge after being caught fishing in marine reserves in Whangarei Harbour.
Alan Fleming, a marine protection ranger with the Department of Conservation in Whangarei, says staff members have had enough of people breaking the law by fishing in the reserves.
In the past six months 38 anglers have been caught fishing in the harbour and Poor Knights Islands marine reserves.
During June and July, 11 people will have appeared before the courts after being caught and a further three will also appear who were caught fishing in the Poor Knights reserve.
An additional 10 will appear before the courts in the near future, he says.
Penalties for fishing in a marine reserve include a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to three months’ prison. Commercial fishers caught within a reserve can be fined up to $250,000 and/or up to three months’ prison.
“Fishers need to be familiar with marine reserve boundaries as strict liability applies and ignorance is no defence,” says Mr Fleming.
As well as these alleged offences, Mr Fleming says 120 anglers have been lucky not to be apprehended because they were seen arriving at a reserve by a conservation department ranger who warned them before they started fishing. Some fishers have had personal fishing gear seized instead of facing court action.
Mr Fleming says most people have been caught at the Motukaroro site of the harbour reserve where the department is maintaining a strong presence.
The reserve is made up of two sites - Motukaroro near Reotahi and at Waikaraka, covering 253.7 hectares or 2.54 percent of the harbour.
The reserves were first proposed by Kamo High School students and finally established in October 2006.
Mr Fleming says there should be no reason people don’t know it is a reserve.
The department installed nine signs in the Waikaraka area, 11 signs and three buoys at Reotahi and nine signs at all the community-used boat ramps throughout the harbour when the reserve was established.
“Many apprehensions were the result of reports made by the public and a network of boaties who are keen on protecting marine reserves,” says Mr Fleming. ‘The department is thankful for the public support it has received.”
“Marine reserves provide a place where people can experience and observe a relatively undisturbed marine environment. People in Northland are passionate in ensuring these places are protected,” he says.
If you suspect someone is fishing, or taking marine life within a marine reserve phone 0800 DOCHOT and for more information about the reserves call 430 2133 or go to http://www.doc.govt.nz.

Posted in: New Zealand News • North island news •

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