Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
A Queenstown hotel has been fined $22,000 for illegally selling recreationally caught crayfish and failing to keep records.
The Rees Management Limited which trades as The Rees Hotel was sentenced in the Queenstown District Court yesterday for charges under the Fisheries Act 1996 and Fisheries (Recordkeeping) Regulations 1990 following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The hotel had been offering a premium experience to guests called The Rees Ultimate Heli Crayfish dining experience which included the illegal sale of recreationally caught crayfish. Guests were invoiced between $4,650 and $7,750 for the total day???s experience.
Under the Fisheries Act, a commercial fishing permit is required to take any fish for sale.??? Any use of seafood as part of a business??? commercial activities is considered sale under the Act, says Fisheries New Zealand regional manager South Garreth Jay.
“The rules are there for a reason ??? to safeguard the resource for current and future generations, protect the integrity of the fisheries management system, and ensure a level playing field for businesses using seafood as part of their commercial activities. Where we find evidence of people breaking the rules we will investigate and take appropriate action.
“In this case it is our view the offending persisted despite clear advice being given to the operators involved that the helicopter experience package did not comply with the Fisheries Act.”
The hotel also did not keep required records of the crayfish, making it difficult to quantify the scale of the offending, Mr Jay said.
“We all have a role to play in ensuring the ongoing sustainability of our fisheries. We encourage people to report suspected illegal activity through our free-calling 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224).”
Fisheries New Zealand is also prosecuting another business in relation to the offending. The matter is still before the courts.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
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