Five whitebaiters have been fined after they were caught flouting regulations by illegally fishing within 20m of a canal or floodgates.
Travis Tane, 22, Tawhai Te Ariki, 20, Aiden Ohlson, 22, Peter Ford, 18, and Tawhai Tarau, 24, all from Whakatane, pleaded guilty to illegally fishing within 20m of either the Awatapu or Orini Canal floodgates. The group appeared in the Whakatane District Court.
Gisborne/Whakatane Department of Conservation area manager Andy Bassett said the department would prosecute people who flaunted the rules.
The floodgates had numerous signs informing the public whitebaiting was not permitted within 20m of the structure.
"Meaning there is no excuse for ignoring the rules," he said.
All six were fined $1000 with $132 court costs plus forfeiture of their nets.
A sixth man, Mark Hohua, 37 , of Whakatane, was fined $200 with $132 court costs and forfeiture of his net for fishing outside the permitted 5am to 8pm whitebait fishing hours. Hohua was arrested for whitebaiting after midnight from the Whakatane boat ramp.
"We have informed the public of the regulations with yearly media campaigns and on-site signage, this leaves us no alternative but to prosecute those who have scant disregard for the sustainability of the whitebait fishery," Mr Bassett said. "With the ongoing efforts of DoC compliance staff, assisted by the police, the outcome from the court was a pertinent reminder to those who illegally whitebait fish that it could end up being a costly exercise."