This includes fishing in marine reserves, trading in a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) item, offences on public conservation land, and dogs in national parks.
Some of the more unusual offences that resulted in enforcement action included the illegal removal of a sand dune to allow for a deck, stairs and boardwalk to be built.
In another incident, the partially butchered remains of a protected great white shark was found on a beach by a member of the public. DoC investigated and was able to identify the offender through CCTV footage. A search warrant was executed leading to shark remains being recovered. The offender was issued an infringement and warned under the Wildlife Act 1953.
Wallwork says: "The adoption of the new system has been a significant step forward for DoC's ability to ensure conservation law is enforced – and assist in the long-term goals of protecting the country's wildlife and wilderness."
The new electronic enforcement tool and database allows DoC rangers and staff to record non-compliant activity in the field through a mobile phone app and enables DoC to analyse offending and trends to piece together a national level picture.
The system also captures details of illegal activity reported by members of the public through the department's 0800 DOC HOT response number.