Fisheries admits to lack of sensitivity in Chinese New Year raids

By RENEE KIRIONA

The Ministry of Fisheries has told Chinese restaurateurs its inspectors could have been more sensitive when they raided 40 of their premises on the eve of Chinese New Year.

Yesterday's meeting followed claims by several of the Auckland restaurateurs that they were treated like criminals by fisheries inspectors, despite being found with no unlawful produce.

Last month Samyna Tam and Ronald Chau, the managers of Ding How, said inspectors had told them they would be hand-cuffed and taken to jail if found with illegal seafood.

The ministry's sole representative at the meeting, Auckland fisheries compliance manager Ian Bright, met about 35 of the business owners. Discussions took place in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

But he had not even sat down when a lawyer representing the Auckland Chinese Food and Beverage Business Association, which organised the gathering, approached him. Neither would say what was discussed.

Mr Bright, who brought a Mandarin interpreter with him, told the meeting that after talking to the association's chairman, Tony Cho, and National list MP Pansy Wong, he realised how offensive some of the inspectors' actions might have been.

"There are some ways that we conduct business by European standards that are offensive to the Asian community and we will be addressing this, but we will not be taking a relaxed approach when it comes to actual inspection because, by law, that is our job," Mr Bright said.

He also told the meeting, at the Grand Harbour Restaurant in the inner city, that the ministry choose to carry out the spot inspection on the Chinese New Year because it was a time when demand for paua and rock lobster, in particular, was highest.

George Tam, of Ocean City Restaurant, asked if the ministry was trying to catch those who sold illegal seafood to restaurant owners.

Mr Bright said attempts were being made but if there were no willing buyers then poachers would be out of work.

"The only way we are going to stamp down on illegal trade is if people like you get in behind us.

"If someone comes to your premises offering to sell you seafood from the boot of their car then you should be aware that if caught you can face a fine of $250,000."

Mr Tam asked that the inspectors did not come back with the attitude that made restaurateurs feel like criminals.

"Many of us have been here for years. We are New Zealanders and we are not going away, so co-operation is needed on both sides."

Mrs Wong said most of the restaurateurs tried extremely hard to ensure their business practices were above board. "None of them, or at least those that I know, want to be dealing with illegal produce."