Island ferret walk costs owners $2600

10.00pm - by ANNE BESTON

An Auckland couple were "embarrassed and remorseful" after being dobbed in by a Great Barrier Island resident for walking their pet ferrets on one of the island's beaches.

Mark Abel Craft and Carolyn Anne Craft have been fined a total of $2600 after pleading guilty in the Auckland District Court today to offences under the Biosecurity Act.

Auckland Regional Council biosecurity manager Steve Hix said it was the first time the council had brought a prosecution in relation to the Hauraki Gulf Islands.

Under the Act, all the Hauraki Gulf islands are a controlled area, and it is an offence to take any animal pest on to them.

The couple were warned off Waiheke Island a short time before being spotted with their ferrets on Great Barrier.

Great Barrier Island is home to rare native species including taiko (black petrel) and brown teal. The region is also home to more than 13 species of lizard, including the Great Barrier chevron skink.

nzherald.co.nz/environment