Fisheries NZ has shared some of the illegal set nets which it had seized during recreational catch inspections over summer, which included the use of a car battery and a decoy duck in two separate instances.
After carrying out around 13,000 inspections of recreational fishers over summer, a 94% compliance rate with fishing rules and regulations was found, but there were some cases where people had run into trouble.
One of these included a car battery being used as an anchor for a set net, which Fisheries NZ called environmentally irresponsible.
During another inspection, it was found a decoy duck had been used to hide a set net. Others were found to be using stakes, leaving fish dead and out of the water.
However, Fisheries NZ director of fisheries compliance Steve Ham said most rule breakers had undersized or excess fish, and where minor breaches were found, education was provided.
But other more serious offences were discovered.
"For example, we recently prosecuted an Auckland man for selling recreational fish. This man was banned by the court from all fishing for three years."
Set nets were also being confiscated "regularly".
"Recently we found three set nets tired together, covering 160 metres in length.
"Some fishers are just blatantly breaking the rules and while most people will face a $250 fine, in more serious situations, the courts can issue more severe fines."
In the Wellington region, 2435 recreational inspections were done, and 192 of these were found to be non-compliant.
Fisheries NZ said most problems occurred with people taking too much undersize pāua and crayfish. Some cases are still under inquiry, but Fisheries NZ said so far it had issued about 100 infringement notices.
"While compliance was really good, our fishery officers are still catching people breaking particularly the pāua rules.
"While our officers do a lot of education work with people on the rules, in some cases, where people are deliberately taking too much pāua, they can expect a fine. Or, if it’s more serious, such as selling it, we will put the matter before the court."
In the South Island, 4488 recreational inspections were done over summer, where 261 instances of non-compliance were found.
Fisheries NZ said many of these resulted in warnings, but 93 infringements were issued.
Officers were still making inquires into about 25 cases, it said.
Ham said while officers provided a lot of education to people about the rules, "they still found too many people with too much pāua, crayfish and undersize blue cod or blue cod being landed in an illegal state".
"Blue cod should always be landed whole or gutted, or in some areas headed and gutted, and it should never be used as bait, which we have found is still the case in both Southland and Otago from time to time.
"This behaviour threatens the sustainability of the blue cod fisheries."
Ham reminded the public to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app, and for people to familiarise themselves with the rules.
The app includes the latest rules for areas where the user intends to fish, including closures and gear restrictions.
"This should be as essential to your fishing kit as your physical gear."
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