Fishing skipper reports loss of snapper

10 Nov 2015

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating the actions of a commercial fishing skipper who reported losing an estimated 750kg of fish, off the west coast of Coromandel Peninsula this morning (10 November).

MPI District Compliance Manager Manukau Jacob Hore says a vessel skipper contacted MPI at around 8.45am reporting that the fish, which was mostly snapper, had been lost from a trawl net as it was being brought on board.

Mr Hore said an MPI vessel was already patrolling in another part of the Hauraki Gulf and was redirected to meet up with the commercial vessel, arriving at the scene west of Colville around 10.30am.

“MPI was again able to make use of the new inshore vessel monitoring system, implemented jointly between industry and MPI, to confirm the location of the vessel and target our resources efficiently”.

The patrol vessel was able to document extent of the loss of fish as well as interview the skipper and crew at the time.

“It is commendable that the skipper proactively reported the incident to MPI, which allowed us to respond quickly. We follow up all reports of accidental loss of fish by commercial fishers and we will be investigating this incident.”

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