Media release from Eastern Fish & Game

Tauranga man pays dearly for no trout licence & obstruction

Trout fishing without a licence and obstructing a Fish & Game ranger turned into a costly exercise for a Tauranga man.

Twenty nine year-old truck driver Jamie Lim-Yock was fined more than $1200 when he pleaded guilty to both counts in the Tauranga District Court (August 16, 2013).

The court was told that on July 21, 2013, Lim-Yock was fishing for trout in the Ngongotaha Stream near Rotorua, when he was approached by a Fish & Game ranger.

Fish & Game officer Anthony van Dorp told the Court that Lim-Yock ran away from the ranger to his vehicle, followed by the officer. He refused to comply with the ranger’s directions and was later spoken to by both Fish & Game and Police officers.

Judge Harding fined Lim-Yock $500 for fishing without a licence, $750 for obstructing a ranger, and ordered him to pay court and prosecution costs.

Eastern Fish & Game Manager Rob Pitkethley says it’s a timely reminder that everyone who fishes for trout needs to ensure they hold a current trout fishing licence.

“It’s also a wakeup call for anyone who thinks they can obstruct a Fish & Game ranger and get away with it.

“It’s something that’s taken seriously, and anyone who tries it on is held accountable.”

Mr Pitkethley says “income from licence fees is used to manage and maintain our trout fisheries – so anyone who fishes without a licence is freeloading on all the law abiding anglers who have bought a fishing licence.

“So when you’re caught without a licence, expect to be held accountable and pay a penalty that runs to well above the cost of that licence.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media