Solicitor Loses Boat Over Shellfish

An Auckland solicitor who appeared in Warkworth District Court yesterday, lost his $40,000 boat and a large amount of dive equipment after gathering too many scallops.

The man was caught by fisheries officers with 388 scallops - nearly 20 times the legal limit and some of the scallops were also undersized.

As well as losing his boat and equipment, he was fined $750 plus court costs.

A Ministry of Fisheries spokesperson says forfeiture of such an expensive boat will send a strong message to others thinking of ignoring catch limits.

In another incident, the Fisheries Ministry has decided to prosecute a company it says was caught dredging for shellfish in Queen Charlotte Sound.

A vessel was reported by a member of the public after it was seen in East Bay, an area closed to commercial activity.

It was later found with 900 kilograms of scallops.

Marlborough compliance manager Geoff Clark says fines of up to $100,000 and the forfeiture of the vessel are possible.

The Department of Conservation is continuing to investigate four separate incidents involving vessels seen fishing in the Long Island Kokomohua Marine Reserve.