NZ Seafood Industry Council says sentence proves QMS

The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council says the jail sentence for a fisherman for thieving fish is totally justified.

The QMS (quota management system) provides rights and with that comes responsibility said New Zealand Seafood Industry Council Chief Executive Owen Symmans today. It is appropriate that breaching those rights should result in severe penalties, he said.

“This particular case is very concerning to the industry. The sustainability of the fisheries is dependent upon the quota management system and any infringement – particularly an extreme one – can put a fishery at risk. But this is the QMS in operation.

“We’re very pleased to see justice being done,” he said. “Anybody taking fish illegally – whether they’re recreational or commercial – should have to face the full force of the law.”

The industry supports the Ministry of Fisheries in their task of enforcing the regulations that protect New Zealand’s fisheries, Mr Symmans said.

“We know what the regulations are for and we support them. If someone behaves in a dishonest and cavalier fashion, then they deserve what they get and frankly the industry is glad to be shot of them,” he said.

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