Heavier Penalty For Fish Poaching

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1948, Page 2

Heavier Penalty For Fish Poaching

Press Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, Julv 17. The niaximum peualty for poaching in restricted waters is iucreasod from £100 to aooo by a cluuse dealing with sea fislieries in the- Pislieriea Aiuendinent Bill, which was introduced and road a first timo in the House of Kepresentatives yesterday. The Minister of Marino (Mr. Hackott) said the Bill consolidated soveral aniendments and contained provisioiis deenied necessarv by the Marine Bepartment. the Internal Affairs • Bepartment, and aecliiuatisation societies. The prohibition on the export of fish caught in New Zealand territoriaJ waters is extended by nnother cJause lo apply to fish caught outsidc territoriai waters by fisliing boats liceused as sucli in New Zealand. The maximuiu penalty for destroying salt-watcr lish by means of explosives is increased from £20 to £100. The Bill makcs it elear that the forfeiture of boats and fishing gear whieh havo been used iilegaJlv is dependent on the conviction of the ofFender. The maximuiu penalty for the. wilful destruction of fisli suitable for human cousu.mption is increased '.from £10 to £50. A section of the Bill deais with fresh-water fislieries. Penalties of a £100 fine or imprisonment up to tivo mouths are fixed for the taking of fisii by explosives or by the deliberate use of poisons. Provision is made for the taking of fish or ova for the purposes of scientific investigation.