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Police clamp down on fishing quotas in the Hauraki Gulf

A group of boaties felt the pinch last month after Police caught up with them in the Hauraki Gulf.

A group of boaties felt the pinch last month after Police caught up with them in the Hauraki Gulf.
Sergeant Peter Comer, of the Auckland Maritime Unit, says that at around 11 am, an informant called the Great Barrier Police to advise them of three vessels with divers in the water off the coast of Great Barrier Island.
The Police Maritime Unit was then called to respond. “Police Launch Deodar III was soon in the area, however upon approaching the vessels, the largest of three began steaming away from the island,” he says.
The 8.8m vessel, with twin outboards, was intercepted by the Police Maritime Unit a short time later who stopped them under lights and sirens.
“Officers boarded and searched the vessel where our teams located 21 Packhorse Crayfish, some of which were undersized,” Sergeant Comer says.
Those found to be undersized were confiscated and returned to the ocean. Police inspected the two further vessels a short time later and Sergeant Comer said those on the vessels had the appropriate quota and size of Packhorse Crayfish on board.
Between the three vessels, a total of 45 Packhorse Crayfish were inspected.
The Police Maritime Unit wants to remind the public they are here for your safety, but if you are breaking Fisheries laws, it will only be a matter of time before Police and/or Fisheries New Zealand Fishery Officers end up speaking to you.
“Police are continuing to work with our partner agencies to ensure we are all working together to keep New Zealand fisheries sustainable for the future.”
Inquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.
Sergeant Comer says the Police would also like to thank the member of the public who initially contacted the Police with their concerns and we encourage this to continue.

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