Measuring your catch

There have been apparent problems with some of the stickers and rulers the Ministry of Fisheries have distributed throughout the country. Some of the devices may be inaccurate, however it appears they are intended to be a guide only.

As a result, it appears that at least one BOP fisherman recently has copped a $250 fine for undersized snapper after claiming he used a Ministry sticker to measure the catch. Te Puna fisherman, Warwick Gilmour has been fined $250 for keeping two undersized snapper - even though the fish appeared legal when held against one of the Ministry's own measuring stickers.

According to Bay of Plenty district compliance manager, Brendon Mikklesen, some versions of the rulers distributed to fishermen were an aid and not based on true measurements. He said, "There have been differing versions that have been distributed nationally over time and some are definitely different to others."

Well hello, what a crock this whole saga is. Surely if MOF are going to distribute a measuring device then it needs to be accurate - it's that simple.

While admittedly there may be discrepancies in the way these devices are used (not sticking them on a flat surface, bubbles etc), if it needs some instructions on how to use it corretly then then print them on the device. This kind of thing is a PR disaster for MOF when we're all trying to minimise poaching and illegal fishing - it does nothing to endear the average fisho to the cause.

And it's not the first time this has happened. Several years ago, another BOP resident spent almost 2 years battling the Ministry after she claimed she had measured scallops with one of the Ministry's devices. She initially receceived a fine but on appeal the Ministry withdrew it's case and the conviction was quashed.

NB: To avoid any doubt about the legality of your catch check your stickers or measuring devices with an accurate tape measure or ruler. It'll only take a minute and may save a problem further down the track...

Legal snapper...