Trio face poaching charges

Fish and Game officer A man and two teenagers have been caught allegedly poaching trout at a Rotorua trout spawning stream.

Fish and Game officers carrying out checks at a Rotorua trout spawning stream on Friday afternoon caught two men, aged 17 and 40 years, and a 17-year-old woman, who had allegedly been poaching spawning trout.

The trio were allegedly found in possession of a net and a total of 25 freshly-killed rainbow trout.

Fish and Game officer Anthony van Dorp said he would not release the name of the stream in case of copy-cat poaching but said it was very disappointing to see trout poaching on such a scale.

"The taking of spawning trout in numbers such as this, combined with disturbance commonly caused by poachers to spawning grounds, can have a serious impact on trout fisheries in the long term.

"It is vital that people keep out of spawning streams and leave trout alone to spawn undisturbed as the long-term viability and success of trout fisheries depends on this."

He said the stream was a tributary feeding into Lake Rotorua and the lake's fish stocks were dependent on natural spawning processes.

Mr van Dorp said inquiries were continuing but the trio would face charges in relation to the incident.

"Fish and Game issue a reminder and warning that trout poachers caught will be charged and face penalties of up to 12 months in prison, and fines of up to $10,000."

- If you see anyone poaching trout or fishing out of season call (0800) 762 244.