A group of fishermen were photographed by a concerned reader who was fishing off the Aldermen Islands on the day large hauls of pink maomao were filmed. Photo / Supplied
A group of fishermen were photographed by a concerned reader who was fishing off the Aldermen Islands on the day large hauls of pink maomao were filmed. Photo / Supplied
MPI has received about 30 calls to the 0800 4 POACHER hotline and about 20 emails from Tairua and around New Zealand concerned at pink maomao hauls on the Coromandel.
"We've heard a variety of concerns from people in the community, including suspicions that pink maomao are being illegally sold,"said Emma Taylor, director fisheries management, Fisheries New Zealand.
"Our Fisheries Officers have been on the ground in the community conducting patrols.
"We appreciate any information that is provided to us through our 0800 4 POACHER line, it is a critical tool in our fisheries compliance work. We can assure anyone who calls that the information provided is considered and helps us with our inquiries."
The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, was aware MPI had received many complaints from the community in Tairua about the illegal sale of pink maomao and that a petition has been launched.
"My officials advise they are looking into the matter, and I'd expect that where there are breaches of the rules they are appropriately dealt with.
"In the meantime, I've asked officials for advice on how we can update the rules around bag limits."
Tairua residents blocked access to their main wharf and Ngati Hei imposed a rahui on pink maomao after footage of alleged "wholesale slaughter" of the elusive and unprotected fish species was caught on camera.
One of the bins of pink maomao filmed in Tairua on one of several boats at the Tairua Wharf. Photo / Mike Bhana
Pink maomao, also called longfin perch, is not included in any recreational catch limits.
Documentary filmmaker Mike Bhana filmed a group of fishermen returning from nearby coastal fisheries with what he estimates was 1500-2000 pink maomao fish, a species of high value to Asian markets.
The vehicles included 4WD utes and alloy boats about 5m to 7m in size, carrying between five and six fishermen plus a skipper on each.
MPI could not give a timeframe on action. "We recognise the community interest in this matter, and are working quickly to gather and assess available evidence. This will be provided to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to consider.
"We've heard a variety of concerns from people in the community, including suspicions that pink maomao are being illegally sold. Our Fisheries Officers have been on the ground in the community conducting patrols," said Taylor.
"We encourage anyone who has been approached to buy pink maomao or any other recreationally caught fish to contact our 0800 4 POACHER hot line."
Kuaotunu fisherman Neil Chapell said he witnessed two boats out the back of Cuvier Island on the same week as the Tairua incident, hauling in large volumes of fish that he thought were likely to have been pink maomao.
He was concerned that he had not heard back from previous calls through to the 0800 4 poacher line and had no follow-up when he provided information to MPI.
Taylor said it was important that the hotline be used.
MPI said the Minister was not planning a review of the Quota Management System.
"A number of recent announcements have outlined the new requirements for commercial catch landings and reporting, placing cameras on vessels, and integrated ecosystem-based approaches to managing fisheries in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park – which includes the Tairua area.
"The Fisheries Act and QMS currently provide the tools to respond to the concerns raised about pink maomao. The Minister has asked for advice on how these tools could best be applied to ensure sustainable utilisation of pink maomao, and other species, now and into the future."
