A commercial fisherman has been fined $15,000 after trawling in a marine reserve last year.
Kelly Gavin Scoles, aged 37, appeared through an audio visual link today at the Kaikohe District Court. He faced one charge under the Marine Reserves Act and one under the Fisheries Act, the Ministry for Primary Industries said.
In May 2024, Scoles, as master of the fishing vessel Winbill, deployed a bottom trawl net about 1.6km outside the Kahurangi Marine Reserve off the northwest coast of the South Island.
The Ministry for Primary Industries said Scoles then towed the trawl "through the entire length" of the 16km reserve.
Fisheries New Zealand regional manager of fisheries compliance Phil Tasker said GPS was used to monitor all commercial fishers in real time "to ensure they are fishing where they are legally able to".
"Our expectation is that commercial fishers know where they’re fishing and what areas are closed to fishing, such as marine reserves."
Scoles landed about 700kg of finish, the ministry said. This included various species including gurnard, snapper, rig, and john dory.
The total commercial value was $1502, it added. Scoles was also ordered to pay for damage to the marine reserve.
In addition to the marine reserve fishing, Scoles also failed to submit 27 out of 47 catch reports between March and May 2024.
Tasker said: "Commercial fishers must ensure their catch and landing reports are on time and accurate.
"It is an essential requirement of the Quota Management System and to keeping our shared fisheries sustainable into the future."
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