Fined for undersized lobster

A Coromandel man was fined $8150 and has lost his boat and equipment for taking undersized lobsters.

Peter Graeme Thwaites, of Kennedy Bay, was caught taking undersized rock lobsters in October last year, and then went on to commit the same offence two days later.


Peter Thwaites was first caught collecting undersized rock lobsters when fishery officers were patrolling in the Tokaroa Rock area in the Coromandel. Photo: MPI.

He pleaded guilty to two charges under the Fisheries (Commercial Fishing) Regulations (2001) in the Thames District Court.

He was convicted and fined $8150, plus must pay court costs of $260.

​All property was ordered to be forfeited to the Crown, including the vessel Thwaites was skippering, plus all equipment used in the commission of the offences.

Thwaites was first caught collecting undersized rock lobsters when fishery officers were patrolling in the Tokaroa Rock area in the Coromandel.

Officers found 51 rock lobsters, 19 of which were undersized.

Thwaites told the officers he intended to measure the lobsters once he had cleared the commercial pots in the area. The 19 lobsters were then measured in front of him and immediately returned to the sea.

Two days later, while again patrolling the same area, fishery officers found Thwaites with another four undersized lobsters. Those lobsters were also returned to the sea.

Ministry for Primary Industries compliance manager for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Brendon Mikkelsen says the penalty Thwaites received sends a clear message.

"It reflects the importance of commercial fishermen sorting and immediately returning to the sea all undersized rock lobster.

"Unbelievably, in this case, the fisherman failed to do so even after he'd been inspected once prior to the second incident and informed of his obligations under the law."

To report poaching, suspicious or illegal activity, call 0800 476 224. All calls are confidential.

- Stuff

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1 comment

Kennedy Bay

Posted on 28-06-2016 13:39 | By Capt_Kaveman

law into themselves that lot


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