Fishery officers in Taranaki were shocked to have discovered paua poaching on a massive scale over the New Year break.
On Saturday they rushed to several locations along the coast following a spate of calls from the public concerned that people were collecting paua in numbers way beyond the legaldaily limit of 10 per person.
One group of three Stratford men were found with a total of 701 paua, another trio from South Taranaki had more than 150.
While officers were dealing with these people, dozens more people scattered off the beaches carrying sacks containing hundreds more paua.
Ministry of Fisheries officer Brad Dannefaerd said he could not believe what he saw.
"They are showing total disregard for the sustainability of paua stocks in Taranaki, stocks which belong to everyone," he told the Taranaki Daily News.
The thefts come only weeks after new regulations were introduced reducing the minimum legal size for paua in Taranaki from 125mm to 85mm, in recognition of the fact that the region's paua were naturally small and grew to only 90-100mm in length.
If convicted, the apprehended poachers could face fines of up to $250,000 fine, and forfeiture of gear and vehicles. If it can be proved that there was a commercial motive behind the poaching they could face prison terms of up to five years.
