A Queenstown helicopter company has been fined $12,000 for illegally taking and selling recreationally caught crayfish as part of a luxury tourism experience for hotel guests.
Helicopter Line Limited was on Tuesday sentenced on four charges under the Fisheries Act after pleading guilty in the Queenstown District Court.
The court also ordered that two Airbus AS350 helicopters used in the commission of the fisheries offences by the Helicopter Line – valued at over $1 million each – to be forfeit to the Crown, Fisheries New Zealand said. Any person claiming an interest in the forfeit property may apply to the court for relief from forfeiture within 35 working days.
At the centre of the case was the hotel's premium package, known as The Rees Ultimate Heli Crayfish Dining Experience.
This included a helicopter flight over the Southern Alps to a remote West Coast beach where a driver collected live crayfish, which was then brought back and cooked at the hotel.
Guests were charged between $4650 and $7750 for the total day's experience.
Under the Fisheries Act, a commercial fishing licence was required to take any fish for sale.
Helicopter Line Ltd's sentencing was the final step in a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
In July last year, The Rees Management Limited, trading as The Rees Hotel, was fined $22,000 for illegally selling recreationally caught crayfish and failing to keep records.
Diver David Brian Casey was fined $3750 in August after pleading guilty to one representative charge under the Fisheries Act. The contractor would take six crayfish – the recreational limit – and was paid $800 in cash per trip.
Fisheries NZ regional manager south Garreth Jay said a Fishery Officer had previously directed the company in writing to cease offering the premium adventure sightseeing package as it was illegal to sell seafood without a commercial fishing permit or unless the seafood was acquired from a legitimate source.
During a routine subsequent inspection, Fishery Officers found several crayfish at the Rees Hotel labelled "Heli crayfish".
“Our investigation confirmed that despite being formally advised that recreationally caught crayfish could not be sold or used as part of its commercial activity, the Helicopter Line continued operating the experiences, which breached Fisheries legislation,” Jay said.
Paying or receiving payment to catch fish recreationally and then have it possessed and sold commercially in a restaurant constituted serious offending against Fisheries legislation.
"When we find evidence of illegal fishing that threatens the sustainability of our shared fisheries, and undermines the interests of legitimate operators and fishers, we will hold those people or entities engaging in illegal activity to account – and there are consequences, as we’ve seen before the court today," Jay said.
Anyone who suspects illegal poaching activity has been advised to contact the Ministry for Primary Industries on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).
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