An Auckland poacher who sold or attempted to sell fish he caught illegally 35 times, has been fined $15,000.
Timothy William Frost (30) was sentenced in the North Shore District Court on 2 charges under the Fisheries Act for selling or attempting to sell recreationally caught fish, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
"Our investigators found evidence of seafood sales or attempted sales on 35 occasions to various clients he had accumulated. This included high end species such as crayfish, pāua, snapper, along with grey mullet and kahawai.
"Selling or attempting to sell recreationally caught seafood undermines the legitimate seafood market. If you’re offered seafood at a price that appears too good to be true – assume it was probably harvested illegally. We’d advise not to buy it, and to let us know who offered it to you," says Fisheries New Zealand regional manager, fisheries compliance Phil Tasker.
Mr Frost was under investigation by Fisheries New Zealand over his fishing activities throughout 2022. Compliance investigators found evidence of contact with around 8 regular clients between January and November 2022 and hundreds of dollars in sales. The amounts of fish varied but, in some transactions, Mr Frost’s clients would pay $480 for 60kgs of various fish. Others included paying $200 for 5 kg of pāua or 2 crayfish for $60.
"Mr Frost’s illegal fishing was motivated by financial gain. Poachers have no regard for the sustainability of our fisheries and the Quota Management System. They poach until they’re caught. When we find evidence of illegal fishing – we will take action and put the case before the court," Phil Tasker says.
MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry's 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
