Fishing photos scrutinised

DELWYN DICKEY

Complications in using social networking for citizen policing have been highlighted after environmentalist Pete Bethune posted a Facebook photo of two men he had been told were fishing illegally in the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve.

The photo, apparently supplied to Mr Bethune by an acquaintance, shows the men on a beach with a van, trailer and boat.

The vehicle's registration number is legible with Mr Bethune listing the registration separately in his comments asking for help to track down an address. Mr Bethune also said he had other photos of the men fishing.

After requesting more information from Mr Bethune and scrutinising photos he supplied last week the department considers the men were fishing outside the reserve boundaries. The photos were taken recently near the southern boundary at Toroa Pt.

The original photo posted was also taken of the men retrieving their boat, not at Long Bay but at Waiake Beach in Torbay in November or December last year, Conservation Department Auckland area compliance officer Martin Stanley says.

He says after speaking to the man who supplied the photos to Mr Bethune it seems he might not have had a clear understanding of the reserve boundary.

Mr Stanley patrols the DOC administered reserve.

DOC investigated Mr Bethune's claims and acknowledges the men were prosecuted for fishing inside the reserve in May last year, with their 12 hours community work and $500 fine each diverted.

"But all these photos were taken after that," Mr Stanley says

"We want to encourage people to buy into protection of the environment but don't want people taking the law into their own hands. We don't want to get into a situation where people are being hounded unfairly," he says.

Department spokesman Nick Hirst says: "DOC applauds Mr Bethune for his concern about illegal fishing in marine reserves.

"But the fact his claims on Facebook were wrong highlights the need for members of the public to report any suspicions of illegal fishing in marine reserves direct to DOC."

In the last three years the department has moved from warning to prosecuting alleged breaches, DOC biodiversity programme manager Phil Brown says.

"Other penalties include formal warnings with illegal fishers' details going on to a national data base. If they are caught again they go straight to court."

Diversion and community work is used for less serious breaches. Offenders still go through the courts but don't get a criminal record.

Commercial fishers usually avoid reserves, Mr Brown says.

"They're not stupid – they could lose their boat. Recreational fishers are much more likely to disregard the no-take rules."

The Coastguard, Fisheries Ministry officials as well as members of the public also keep watch for incursions, and the tougher stance is working, Mr Brown says.

"Last year, 65 people were apprehended for offences within Long Bay-Okura, Te Matuka (Waiheke Island), Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) marine reserves, the majority being at Long Bay-Okura," Mr Stanley says.

While most were minor and offenders received a written warning, 28 went to court. Fines or diversion have ranged from $250 to $1000, he says.

Thelma Wilson from DOC's Warkworth/Great Barrier Island office says people are becoming more aware of following the rules at the Leigh Marine Reserve at Goat Island.

- © Fairfax NZ News