Fisherman fined $15,000 for illegal trawl in Kahurangi Marine Reserve

A commercial fisherman has been fined $15,000 for trawling in a marine reserve.

Kelly Gavin Scoles, 37, deployed a bottom trawl net just over 1.5km outside the Kahurangi Marine Reserve, near the northwest coast of the South Island, and proceeded to trawl the entire length of the 16km reserve.

“We use GPS to monitor all commercial fishers in near-real time to ensure they are fishing where they are legally able to,” said Fisheries New Zealand regional manager fisheries compliance, Phil Tasker.

“Our expectation is that commercial fishers know where they’re fishing and what areas are closed to fishing, such as marine reserves.”

Snapper was one of the fish species caught by Scoles.

Scoles brought about 700kg of finfish on to his vessel, Winbill, from the trawl. Snapper, gurnard, rig and john dory were just some of the species that made up the haul, which had a commercial value of $1502.

He also had to pay that figure in damages to the marine reserve.

Beyond this, the fisherman failed to submit 27 of 47 catch reports on time between March and May 2024.

“Commercial fishers must ensure their catch and landing reports are on time and accurate,” Tasker said.

“It is an essential requirement of the Quota Management System and to keeping our shared fisheries sustainable into the future.”