Even after signs have been put up, there are still dumb asses breaking the law... Well, there really is no excuse when they get nabbed now!
Fisheries reinforces rules
Source: Waikato Times
By: Nicola Boyes
Fisheries Ministry officers are raising their profile around the Waikato by putting up signs to let people know fish quota limits �- but some are still flouting the law.
Signs went up in Raglan yesterday and are set to go up around Kawhia in a bid to remind people how much fish and shellfish they can take.
But fisheries officers said yesterday the shellfish beds around Raglan had taken a "hammering" over the holiday period.
Fisheries Ministry officer Paul Robertson said a group of five people were issued with infringement notices around Christmas after they were caught with excess cockles.
The daily limit is 150 per person and the group had 2000 between them.
People caught taking more than the limit face fines between $250 and $500 each.
"The beds are reasonably okay, but the cockles are quite small at the moment, this bay does take a hammering from time to time," fisheries officer Patrick Lynch said.
The ministry is in the process of re-establishing itself in the Waikato, employing three new staff in the last 12 months and seeking volunteers.
Mr Lynch said it was shown there was a need for the Waikato to have its own office, but even with three dedicated full-time officers they needed volunteers known as honorary fisheries officers.
"We are quite reliant on them to police the local areas."
Keep knockin', nobody's home.