Toheroa poachers nabbed and fined

Fisheries officers at the scene of illegal toheroa harvesting on 90 Mile Beach. The shellfish are in front of the officers' vehicle.

Two men have each received $500 infringement notices after they were found taking 43 totally protected toheroa on 90 Mile Beach.

The toheroa fishery was closed across New Zealand 35 years ago, after numbers began to plummet. Ministry for Primary Industries spokesman Steve Rudsdale said the taking of a "very large number" was extremely disappointing, especially given that the shellfish were just beginning to re-establish themselves on 90 Mile.

One of the toheroa, easily distinguishable from tuatua.

"It's heart-breaking, really. If this sort of illegal take continues, it won't bode well for a fishery that is already very fragile. Even disturbing toheroa can have an extremely detrimental effect on them," Mr Rudsdale said.

"We have observed a resurgence of toheroa on 90 Mile Beach, but their numbers are still very low. They're off-limits for a very good reason."

The ministry declined to identify the two men beyond saying they were from Northland.
Mr Rudsdale said it was important to know the difference between toheroa and the more common tuatua, which were much more prolific so were not subject to the same gathering ban.

Toheroa shells were more brittle and slightly rounder than tuatua, with a slight lump at the base. Tuatua shells were slightly glossy in comparison to toheroa, and had a square, flat base.

A simple test was to sit the shellfish on its base on the sand with the sharp end standing up. A tuatua should stay standing, balanced on the flat base, while the toheroa should fall over.

The two species could be the same size and colour, depending on their age, but toheroa would eventually grow much bigger and would have a darker shell.

"We'll be taking a zero tolerance approach to any taking of toheroa in this area," Mr Rudsdale said.

"Fisheries officers will be out and about patrolling regularly, as always, and I understand locals will be stepping up their efforts to patrol the beach as well.

"The penalty for being caught with up to 50 toheroa, or even disturbing them, is a fine of up to $500. If you are caught with more than 50 you face prosecution and a maximum fine of $20,000.

"There will be no excuse for any offending."