WARNING TO FISHERMEN WHO POACH

Chronicle (Levin), 1 February 1947, Page 5

WARNING TO FISHERMEN WHO POACH

-Press Association

iBy Telegraph-

Vv'ELLlNGTON, Jau. 31. A warning that severe penalties were to be asked for for iishefmen caught poacliing in spawiiiug ajid nursery areas. lias been given by the Minister of Marine, lion. J. O'Brien. Tlie Government was gravely concerued with reports on Uie prevalence of poacliing and it had resoived to stamp the off'ence out, lie said. To this end the cooperation oi Ihe navy had been enlisted and would be expauded if possible. Air cooperation was under review and the department was to obtain faster and more seaworthy ttatrol 'boats as soon as possibJe. 1 1 ' The Fisheries Act and regulations under it provide for the protection oi spawning and nursery areas and this is done either by completely closing sucli areas or by allowing lishing operations onJy during certain times of the year," said Air. O'Brien. " Unfortunately some iisliermen will not ' piay the game ' and persistently conduct ttLeir o|>erations in ihese closed areas. " Apart from the severe penalties being asked for off'enders, the Alarine D.epartment oflicers had b.een instrueted that when commercial craft were caught poacliing, the wliole of tlje cateh at the; time would be cottffscated and disposed of through normai trade hannels. Moneys accruing from the sale of such •fisli would be paid into the public account pending the heariug of a case. In the event of conviction being obtaiped, the money .would be forf'eited to the Crown in addition to any other penalties whieh may be obtained. The p.ractiee of allowing vessels which had been caught poaching, to proee.ed on their voyage if tlie master signed a release note for the insp.ector, was to eease and the vessel would be ordered .to returp. to port and the master .would have to report to the Superintejident of Alereanfile Alarine on arrival. The Alinister went on to explain that section 53 of the Fisheries Act 1908, provided that all fish, oysters or segls unlawfufly taken and also all ships, boats, baskets, n§ts and gear should be forf'eited and should be disposed of as the Alinister tho.ught flt. "Most of the lishermen abide by the rules, knowing they are instituted for their own good in so far as futnr.e fishing is eoncerned but th.e few offendexs will have to be made to ' toe th.e mark he said.