Poaching accused linked to tragedy

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A Turangi man who allegedly caught 17 trout using a net is connected to a family tragedy involving fish poaching.

Jamahl Hona, a 32-year-old shepherd, is to appear in Taupo District Court today charged with illegally netting trout at Omori Stream in February.

Hona, a former King Country rugby representative, has not yet pleaded to the charge.

His father, Raymond Hona, 49, drowned while hauling in a fishing net at Waimarino River mouth near Turangi in May 2003.

Mr Hona was dragging the net across the river mouth late at night when he fell into deep water and became tangled, trapping him under the water.

His body was recovered by police the following day in 14 metres of water. Mr Hona was still holding the net, which contained 50 trout.

Abraham Konui, a friend who was with Mr Hona when he drowned, later pleaded guilty to illegally taking trout using a net. He was convicted and discharged.

Last week seven Turangi men pleaded guilty to netting 49 trout in the Waimarino River in September.

They were convicted and sentenced to 135 hours' community work.

In April prison liaison officer Raniera Morehu, 55, of Hatepe, was convicted and fined $900 for illegally netting seven trout at Hinemaiaia Stream mouth in January.

It was Morehu's second poaching conviction in 15 years. He told the court it was a Maori customary right to catch trout for food.

Conservation Department staff said trout poaching was a continuing problem. Trout fishing brought in about $90 million annually to the Taupo economy.

Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board secretary Rakei Taiaroa said the board did not condone taking trout by customary right.

The board, which owned the lake bed, collected about $700,000 in rent for allowing the public the use of the lake, and gained half the income from the 40,000 fishing licences sold each year.

- © Fairfax NZ News