Big trout are rather partial to mice

Live mice as a bait for big trout is illegal, according to the Ministry of Primary Industries. Perhaps the ministry knows something anglers don’t know?

Perhaps it’s possible that a live mouse is a good blue cod or snapper bait too, since a recent letter sent by the Ministry of Primary Industries went to a Marlborough sea-fishing club.

The sternly-worded warning from the Ministry’s Animal Welfare Inspector was received by Picton’s RSA fishing section, and claimed ‘enquiries determined the practice (“of using live mice as bait to catch trout”) was relatively common amongst some of your members’.

The letter then quoted Section 28 A of the Animal Welfare Act, with the last broadside being that an offence under the section ‘could result in imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding $75,000, or both’.

But Picton RSA fishing members could breathe easy, as the letter said ‘on this occasion no further action will be taken’.

When the letter was read to the Picton RSA fishing section committee, there was in the words of the reply “spontaenous laughter”.

“However, after wiping away the tears of laughter we all came to the conclusion that the ministry’s letter was not a practical joke and needed to be taken seriously.”

Secretary Richard Holmes then pointed out to the ministry that the Picton RSA Fishing Club is solely saltwater.

“Besides, all our members deny your accusations and were not even aware of the practice of using live mice for bait.”

Furthermore the reply pointed out the accusation that the practice was ‘relatively common’ amongst Picton RSA members was “completely false”.

“It leads us to believe your enquiry was undertaken without leaving the air-conditioned comfort of your office.”

The last salvo to the ministry was ‘your letter reconfirms the low esteem in which the Ministry for Primary Industries is held by recreational fishers in light of the ongoing Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod Rules Debacle’.

- Tony Orman, NZ Fishing News

The Ministry replies…

Peter Hyde, the Ministry for primary industries’ District Compliance Manager Canterbury/Westland says he can understand the confusion caused to South Island fishing clubs that received the letter asking them to desist from using live mice as bait when trout fishing and listed the potential consequences.

‘We certainly accept that this is an odd communication to receive and apologise for any anxiety it may have caused,” he says.

By way of an explanation, Peter Hyde says a Canterbury-based Fishery Officer was giving an educational talk to the fishing club where he is a member. The issue of using live mice for bait came up and he pointed out this may be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act.

“He backed this up by sending his club a compliance letter explaining that a complaint had been made, the practice was common among some members  and what the potential consequences of this practice may be.”

Unfortunately, he took the opportunity to make other South Island clubs aware of this by sending them the same letter. This was an error, as all the other clubs lacked the context of the club he visited, and it was over zealous in pointing out the potential penalties.

“From experience fishing clubs take a very responsible attitude toward compliance. They will often request a Fishery Officer talk with their members to clarify rules.  MPI welcomes this opportunity. It is regrettable this correspondence with fishing clubs has caused confusion. We apologise for that.”