Fish & Game Steps Up Action over Poachers

Fish and Game officers in Rotorua have stepped up their activities in response to a seasonal rise in poaching.

Eastern Region staff say over the last three weekends alone, 20 people have been found poaching – fishing illegally in a variety of different ways.

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp says an increase in poaching usually occurs when the fish are heading upstream to spawn – but their increased efforts to crack down have been highly effective.

Among the incidents, two men were caught after netting spawning trout from a stream in Lake Rotoiti, and a trio were illegally fishing the Ohau Channel, one using fish roe for bait.

The offending they’ve intercepted has involved fishing with illegal tackle, in closed waters or without licences – or a combination of these, Anthony says.

Anthony Van Dorp says that in the year to the end of May, more than 40 offenders have been apprehended for ten different types of offence, but fishing without a licence is always the most common - followed by fishing with illegal tackle.

Fish & Game officers work closely with police and “we’ve have responded to a number of recent calls from police officers alerting us to suspected poachers,” Anthony says. Officers also use various surveillance methods including covert camera equipment around spawning streams.

One feature of the offending has been the number of youths fishing using illegal methods, and in closed areas.

Anthony is appealing to parents and caregivers to ensure that youngsters are given proper direction on the regulations, including where they are allowed to fish – and by what methods. Anyone in doubt can contact Fish & Game for advice.

As a result of Fish and Game’s enforcement work, 11 people are before the courts facing charges ranging from fishing without licences to obstructing a ranger, and taking spawning trout with a net.

Fish & Game has renewed an appeal for the public to report any illegal fishing they see on 0800 POACHING (762 244).