Commercial Fisher Fined $15,000 For Trawling In Marine Reserve

A commercial fisher who trawled in a marine reserve has been fined $15,000.

Kelly Gavin Scoles (37) appeared for sentencing through audio visual link at Kaikohe District Court today {September 12) on one charge under the Marine Reserves Act and one under the Fisheries Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

In May last year, Mr Scoles, who was master of the fishing vessel Winbill, deployed a bottom trawl net about 1.6 km outside the Kahurangi Marine Reserve, off the northwest coast of the South Island. He then towed the trawl through the entire length of the 16km reserve.

“We use GPS to monitor all commercial fishers in near real time to ensure they are fishing where they are legally able to. Our expectation is that commercial fishers know where they’re fishing and what areas are closed to fishing, such as marine reserves,” says Phil Tasker, Fisheries New Zealand Regional Manager Fisheries Compliance.

Mr Scoles landed about 700kg of finfish, including gurnard, snapper, rig, john dory and various other species. The total commercial value was $1502, and Mr Scoles was also ordered to pay that amount for damage to the marine reserve.

In addition to fishing in a marine reserve, Mr Scoles also failed to submit 27 out of 47 catch reports on time between March and May 2024.

“Commercial fishers must ensure their catch and landing reports are on time and accurate. It is an essential requirement of the Quota Management System and to keeping our shared fisheries sustainable into the future,” Mr Tasker says.

Fisheries New Zealand encourages people to report suspected illegal activity to the ministry's 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224).

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