Drool while you can - poachers at work

Jim Anderton. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton has launched a campaign to raise public awareness about the impact of paua and rock lobster poaching.

"Thieves who line their own pockets with a public resource are decreasing the quantity and quality of legitimate users' catch," Mr Anderton said when he launched Poaching is Theft, a joint initiative between the seafood industry, the Government and recreational fishers.

The campaign's first stage involves providing information packs to recreational fishers and to places such as pubs and clubs about the importance of reporting suspicious activities.

- NZPA