Christchurch man took 486 pāua from Hikurangi Marine Reserve to sell

A Christchurch man has been sentenced to four months’ home detention for taking 486 pāua from a marine reserve, which he intended to sell.

Bruce Honey Tata, 48, was sentenced yesterday on one charge under the Fisheries Act in the Hamilton District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The sentence includes a condition that Tata attend and complete an appropriate Tikanga programme or counselling to the satisfaction of a probation officer.

Garreth Jay, Fisheries New Zealand’s regional manager south, said Tata and his son took 486 pāua – 156 of which were undersized – from the Hikurangi Marine Reserve, south of Kaikōura, where it is prohibited to take the shellfish.

“He intended to sell the pāua, which is illegal,” Jay said.

“Fishery Officers have zero tolerance for this behaviour, which threatens the sustainability of this important shared resource.”

The pāua seized by Fishery Officers.

Tata’s son, Biyhan Tata, 26, was sentenced in March to five months’ community detention for his part in the offending, which was diving for the pāua.

The offending was uncovered when a Fishery Officer on patrol saw the pair at the Hikurangi Marine Reserve.

The men hid a sack with pāua in it by a concrete sea barrier.

The sack of pāua was hidden by the offenders. Photo / Supplied

Fisheries New Zealand worked with police and stopped a vehicle Bruce Tata was in, recovering the sack containing the pāua.

“While Bruce Tata claimed the pāua was being gathered for a social event, we found electronic evidence of pāua sales. Neither of these men held a fishing permit to sell seafood,” Jay said.

“When we have evidence of illegal fishing behaviour, we take action and will hold those responsible to account.

“We encourage people to report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224).”