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M P I – F I SH ERIES NEW S OVERFISHING CONVICTION A Mount Maunganui based businessman has been sentenced for 13 separate charges of making false and misleading statements on fishing returns and documents relating to fishing trips occurring between November 2009 through to October 2010. Dalgon Kim appeared before Judge Rollo at Tauranga District Court in February. Kim was convicted following a defended hearing held during August and September 2012. Judge Rollo ordered the vessel involved in the offending, the Jay Debra 2099, forfeit to the crown and imposed bail conditions. Kim is to surrender his passport and will be sentenced by the court at a later date. Ministry for Primary Industries District compliance manager for Waikato – Bay of Plenty, Brendon Mikkelsen says this type of behaviour undermines the Quota Management System which relies on accurate reporting. A total disregard for the QMS as revealed by this investigation places fish stocks at risk of overfishing. "Accurate information provided by commercial fisherman on their returns is essential for managing commercial fisheries and making sure they are sustainable," says Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen said that it is concerning that a second Tauranga based commercial fishing vessel has been forfeit to the crown within the last three months for serious offending. "This result shows that the Ministry will not tolerate this type of offending." "The Ministry will continue to utilise all compliance resources available to detect and prosecute those commercial operators who defraud the Quota Management System." In his summary Judge Rollo made the comments, "in essence, the Ministry says that more fish has been landed and on-sold than documented." Judge Rollo also rejected the defence evidence of Kim as "untruthful and unreliable," and said this has been an exemplary investigation and commended MPI for its thoroughness and the clarity of presentation. Fishery Officers ask the public and industry to report any suspicious activity in our fishery by phoning 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) Calls are kept confidential if necessary. PAUA POACHER APPREHENDED Northland Fishery officers are praising the assistance of the public after successfully apprehending a man suspected of the illegal sale of paua. Fishery officers apprehended a Whangarei man at an Onerahi address and seized his vehicle as a result of information supplied by members of the public. An investigation into the illegal sale of paua established that the man and two associates had approached four local food vendors as well as members of the general public offering paua for sale at four dollars each. Enquiries are continuing to identify the man's associates. The man apprehended now faces serious charges relating to breaches of the Fisheries Act and faces penalties of maximum fines up $250,000 and the forfeiture of his vehicle. The public are reminded that fish can only be purchased from a legitimate commercial premises or a commercial fisherman and purchasing illegal fish is a serious offence with fines of up to $250,000 and the seizure of property used in the commission of the offence. "This apprehension was greatly assisted by the public and the ministry would continue to encourage the public to report suspicious or illegal activity to Fishery officers as this is a key element in protecting the fishery and ensuring its sustainability for future generations," said Darren Edwards, Northland District Compliance Manager. MPI SEEKS HELP The Ministry for Primary Industries has appealed for public assistance to find a group suspected of illegally selling paua in Northland region. Early in the morning of March 4, a member of the public was offered paua by three men all believed to be Maori and aged between 35 and 40 years. The group was driving a maroon or brown 1996 Toyota Camry registration UD6732. When located on Riverside Drive by Fishery Officers the men failed to stop and the vehicle was last seen on Hatea Drive. Subsequent enquiries have revealed that the men attempted to sell paua to a number of bakeries and take-away outlets in the Whangarei area that morning. If you were approached by these men on Monday morning or have any information that may assist the Ministry for Primary Industries please contact Fishery Officer Deane Walford on: 09 470 0580. VIP.S86 VIP. VIP S86 BLACK MARKET PAUA Recognised and recommended by Professional Skipper magazine as one of our leading marine artists. Mobile: 021 259 0646 Home: 09 533 4431 Email: pauljilly@vodafone.co.nz Website: www.marineartgallery.net.nz 66 Professional Skipper May/June 2013 40-year-old Dunedin man, Ryan Karl Tapsell, admitted to 15 out of the 31 Fisheries Act charges of providing false information in order to receive customary authorisations, illegally harvesting, possessing and selling paua for gain and profiting from the sale of the paua. Tapsell's admission came half way through his trial in the Dunedin District Court. He was remanded in custody to April 5 on six charges for making false statements. In order to be permitted to harvest more than the 10 paua a day allowed to recreational fishers, Tapsell described non-existant social gatherings when applying for customary authorisations to the local Tangata Tiaki.