Trail of dead fish found off Great Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf; Fisheries NZ investigates

Fisheries New Zealand is investigating after a spear fisherman discovered a trail of dead fish near Auckland’s Great Barrier Island.

In a video shared online, spearfisher Darren Shields points towards multiple species of dead fish floating on the ocean’s surface.

“There’s boarfish, there’s pufferfish, there’s baby snapper,” he can be heard saying in the background.

“Look at these fish. There’s snapper everywhere. There’s just fish everywhere.”

Another person on the boat picks a baby snapper out of the water.

“They’re too small, so they’re left to die,” Shields said.

At the start of the video, he drew attention to a fishing trawler across the water from his boat.

“I’m guessing it’s come from that trawler over there,” Shields said.

“That is atrocious.”

He told the Herald the trail of fish was farther than he could film.

Undersized snapper were among the line of dead fish spotted in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Darren Shields

“It makes me feel really sad because I’ve had a great time in the ocean, but I fear for my children and grandchildren about what they’re going to do or see in the future.”

Fisheries New Zealand’s regional manager Andre Espinoza said it was investigating a complaint and determining whether an offence had occurred.

“We have identified a fishing vessel operating in the area and are making further inquiries, including a review of its on-board camera footage, catch reporting and GPS vessel tracking,” he said.

“Illegal discarding of fish from commercial vessels is relatively rare because of the prevalence of on-board cameras on many vessels and because we are able to track the movements of vessels in near real time.”

Espinoza said Fisheries NZ recently prosecuted a Napier commercial fisher for a range of fisheries offences, including discarding fish.

“Under the Fisheries Act section 191(6) unlawfully disposing of fish could result in a maximum fine of $250,000 or up to five years imprisonment.”

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