More shellfish fines

Fisheries officers have added to there haul of illegal harvesters caught in West Auckland recently. After a recent Ministry of Fisheries investigation at Raglan revealed over 20 offenders  

 In the most severe cases a group of six gathered 4700 cockles and another group of nine 4050 when the limit is 150.

 Unlike the harsh fines handed out in Auckland the fines will all be within the $500 margin for infringement notices.

 Seven people where also caught with illegally sized paua each received fines of $250.

 Hamilton fisheries officer Keith Beale said ¡° the days of getting a verbal warning from a fisheries officer have well and truly gone¡± and that "People just have to get in to the habit of sticking to the limit"