DoC rangers net 12 people fishing in marine reserves | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Twelve people  caught fishing inside marine reserve boundaries on Whangarei Harbour have appeared in court after a crackdown on poaching in the area.
 The illegal fishers who faced  charges of taking marine life from Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve  were caught by Department of Conservation rangers between January-April this year.

Ten of the poachers who appeared in the Whangarei District Court this week  pleaded guilty and were to complete the diversion process.

The DoC  diversion scheme allows for offenders at the lower end of the scale to make a donation to a nominated conservation-related charitable trust and/or take part in community conservation work.

Once the diversion is completed, charges are withdrawn and no conviction is entered. The average diversion donation is $500 and/or conservation work of 16 hours.

Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve covers about 237ha, or 2 per cent of the harbour, and was opened in October 2006.

The reserve has two parts - a 26ha area rich in marine life around Passage Island/Motukaroro off Reotahi Bay, and 210ha of mudflats and sea at Waikaraka, near Onerahi.

The appearance of the poachers in court sends a clear message fishing inside the reserve will not be tolerated.

 DoC marine protection ranger Leon Candy said the reserve was clearly marked with yellow buoys on the water and signs on land.

"We are actively patrolling and prosecuting where there is an offence. If they are out there fishing in the reserve,  we will prosecute,"  he said.

"Our goal is to move towards lower apprehension rates. We are aiming for community involvement and fishers policing themselves to get the rates down."

•  To report any suspicious behaviour call 0800 DOCHOT or 0800 362- 468