November 28, 2012
Rocky southern coast top poaching spot
The Primary Industries Ministry says Māori and Pasifika were over- represented in poaching statistics.
The ministry is reporting 1847 convictions for taking undersize or excess paua or rock lobster over the past three years.
Wellington district compliance manager Mike Green says the Wellington coastline is the most plundered for paua, with 434 convictions for taking excess paua and 79 for taking undersize paua, nearly twice as many as any other area.
Napier was by far the worst for rock lobster, with 262 convictions for undersized taking and 46 convictions for excess numbers. It was second worst for paua poaching.
Mr Green says most poachers were caught after observation by fishery officers, members of the public also report suspicious activity.
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