ILLEGAL FISHING AT OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 279, 5 March 1941, Page 4

ILLEGAL FISHING AT OHOPE

Sir, —I have beeri away from Ohope Beach for some months. On returning I find that the illegal fishing of seine netting vessels coming inshore at Ohope is alarming. The fishing at Ohope is about ruined and both the Maori and the Pakelia are being deprived of natural food. All seine netting (big, and however small) must rot come nearer than lavo miles front the Whakatane Heads, Otarawairere Bay, Ohope Beach and Ohiwa Harbour. The privilege to seine netters under 40 feet in length has been withdrawn and all must keep two miles out. No net is to be handled within the prohibited area except by manual labour. I have set my teeth to stamp out this illegal fishing and I wish, through your columns, to appeal to the shore-dwellers of Whakatane and Ohope both men and women, Pakelia and Maori to help me to get evidence that would lead to the conviction of offenders Already I have in hand two cases against a seinenetter which I am preparing for prosecution. I want my l helping observers to particularly observe (1) the number of the vessel/,(2) the painting, contour and fwrnisliings of the vessel, (3) any evidence of engine power, (4) the putting out and hauling in of nets or any other evidence of fishing (this is most important), (5) the movements of the vessel, (6) watch out for vessels at night and in the early morning. The observing will take some time but it will be time well spent. Field glasses, telescopes and cameras will help. I myself use a very long range telescope used by a relative in the old pirate days. The good old servant is now ve-commissioned lo detect pirate-fishers. I find it most useful. If anyone -notices anything amiss I would like to be written to (address, Ohope) and told about it. Between the lot of us I feel sure we will soon clear the trawlers and seine-netters off our lovely bit of sea. Remember two miles out. The Department lias treated us handsomely. Now is our chance, let us make the most of it. Yours etc., ROBERT FRASER, Honorary Inspector of Fisheries. P.S. As regards toheroa—the digging implement must not be more than four inches wide; no toheroa under three inches is to be taken and only fifty a day is allowed to one person. There are heavy fines for offences.