Poached Salmon Lands Man in Hot Water

A man who hand caught a spawning salmon out of the Leith Stream last week now faces prosecution rather than a fish dinner.

Fish & Game officers received a tip off about the man trying to catch a salmon that was trying to spawn in the area below the university. They later traced the vehicle and the man to a workplace where he admitted the offence. The fish was seized and an offence notice issued.

Fish & Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland says spawning trout and salmon, which return to the Leith at this time of the year, are fully protected under the Conservation Act and taking or disturbing them can result in fines up to $10,000 and a year of imprisonment.

Mr Hadland says there has been massive fundraising and hatchery efforts to maintain a viable salmon fishery in the Otago Harbour and allowing them to spawn naturally in the Leith was an important part of that.

“Those returning salmon could lay up to 3000 eggs each and they will die shortly after spawning. It’s a critical part of their life cycle so they rightfully deserve protection That‘s recognized in legislation too.”

Mr Hadland says it is unique to have spawning trout and salmon running up an urban stream like the Leith.

“They are big fish in shallow water and particularly visible. By all means, go down there and have a look, just don’t try to catch or disturb them or our officers will be having a chat to you and issuing offence notices.”

“We appreciate the help we get from members of the public who alert us to alleged poaching incidents – Fish & Game takes such illegal activity very seriously.”    

ENDS

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