Alleged offenders poach 55 crayfish and 621 kina from Gisborne marine reserve

The Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve protects over 2,400 hectares of coastline. Photo / MPI

Sixteen people are facing court after allegedly poaching hundreds of kina and dozens of crayfish from a marine reserve.

A two-week sting by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DoC) last month caught the alleged poachers with a total of 55 crayfish and 621 kina taken from the Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve north of Gisborne.

Poachers stole a total of 55 crayfish and 621 kina from the reserve. Photo / MPI

"There are absolutely no exceptions to the rules around taking sea life from marine reserves, which are a protected environment for a very good reason," said MPI spokesman Adam Plumstead.

The reserve, 16km north of Gisborne, was established in 1999 after DoC and Ngati Konohi worked on the area.

It protects more than 2400ha of coastline and protects marine life from threats that may harm its existence.

"When people intentionally disturb that and take marine life from this area, they are destroying this very special habitat," Plumstead said.

DoC's East Coast district manager John Lucas said the actions were disappointing.

"This type of offending impacts on educational opportunities and affects the ongoing restoration of the marine environment.

"We will continue to work with MPI to closely monitor activity around the reserve to ensure those who act illegally will wear the consequences.

"We take a zero tolerance approach to all offending," he said.

As well as facing court, the alleged poachers have had a number of vehicles seized.

MPI and DoC ask that members of the public report suspicious behaviour and illegal activity at marine reserves around the country.

Lucas said to alert any suspicious activity, contact MPI on 0800 476 224 or DoC on 0800 362 468.