The incident unfolded on 9 December when fishery officers received a report via the poacher hotline about suspicious activity. Upon investigation, they encountered three divers who had harvested pāua illegally.
Confrontation with officers
The situation escalated when the divers refused to allow their catch to be inspected. In a bold move, one individual placed his hand on a knife strapped to his belt, declaring they would leave with the pāua. Despite the intimidation, the officers stood firm.
“We work hard to protect our shared fisheries and will not be intimidated by this sort of behaviour,” said Stuart Moore, Fisheries New Zealand district manager for Marlborough and Canterbury.
The following day, with the assistance of New Zealand Police, the divers were stopped in Amberley. Officers discovered the 460 pāua – many of which were undersize – in their vehicles. The team confiscated the catch, along with the offenders’ dive gear and vehicles.
Serious consequences
Moore indicated that serious charges under the Fisheries Act are now being considered. “The community has zero tolerance for poaching, and neither do we,” he said, adding that the collaboration with police was crucial in ensuring the offenders were held accountable.
Illegal harvesting of pāua is a significant threat to New Zealand’s marine resources, particularly when carried out during a closed season. The recreational pāua fishery is currently off-limits to allow populations to recover, with strict rules in place to prevent overfishing.
Community vigilance is key
Fisheries New Zealand highlighted the importance of community involvement in protecting marine ecosystems. The public is urged to report suspicious or illegal activity via the 0800 4 POACHER hotline (0800 47 62 24).
“This incident demonstrates the power of community vigilance and swift action,” Moore said. “The rules exist for a reason, and when they’re broken, we take action.”
Protecting a shared resource
Pāua poaching remains a critical issue for New Zealand’s fisheries, with far-reaching implications for sustainability. The Ministry for Primary Industries continues to call on the public to play an active role in safeguarding these precious resources.
For more information or to report suspicious activity, contact MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz.
