A man is facing prosecution after being caught nearly 15 times the daily legal limit of pāua in South Taranaki earlier this month.
Around 3.40pm on October 9, Ōpunake Police were patrolling the coastline in Pīhama when a man was spotted "behaving suspiciously" while carrying a large sack of pāua, Senior Sergeant Andrew Russ said.
During a fisheries inspection, the man was allegedly found with 73 pāua – 20 of which were undersized.
The daily limit in the area is five pāua per person and they must be at least 85mm.
The matter was referred to the Ministry for Primary Industries' Fisheries Compliance team, who were looking at prosecution.
"Police would like to remind the public to be aware of what areas along the Taranaki coast are part of the rāhui/ban and which areas aren’t – make sure to always adhere to the daily limit and minimum size," Russ said.
He added that police officers were able to act as Fishery Officers and had the same inspection powers.
15 people caught flouting recreational fishing rules in Auckland
Fifteen people were caught last weekend flouting recreational fishing rules in Auckland – more than half of them for undersized snapper.
North Harbour Fishery officers and Auckland Police Maritime officers carried out 514 inspections across the city's east and west coasts.
Nine fishers were found with undersized snapper in the East Coast area. On the West Coast, one fisher had too many oysters and three others were in possession of undersized scallops.
Fisheries NZ was considering prosecution after two illegal set nets were found joined together at Mill Bay in West Auckland.
Infringement notices were issued to two people who took undersized snapper, while the remaining fishers received formal warning notices.
A warning was also issued to a fisher whose unmarked set net was found at Titirangi.
Anyone who spots suspicious behaviour, or illegal fishing or gathering, that is happening now has been urged to call 111. For reporting after the fact, contact MPI or call 0800 476 224.
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