FISHERMAN CAUGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 138, 12 June 1936, Page 9

FISHERMAN CAUGHT.

IN PROHIBITED WATERS. A DELIBERATE OFFENCE. Instead of landing a good catch of fish in the prohibited grounds within the Tamaki Straits early on the morning of May 8, Percy McKey, the skipper of a fishing boat, was himself caught by a fisheries inspector. This morning, when charged on summons in the Police Court, before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., with a breach of the Fisheries Act, McKey admitted frankly that his offence had been a deliberate one. He pleaded guilty. In bringing the prosecution for Captain Wilcox, Superintendent of Marine, Mr. R. Meredich said that a fisheries inspector, while patrolling the Tamaki' Straits, found defendant's fishing boat using a Danish seine net within the prohibited area. "Fish in this prohibited area are very plentiful and some fishermen go there for they know they will get a good catch," said Mr. Meredith. "This area is kept closed to allow the! fish to breed, and unless fishermen leave it alone in the end it will make fish in other places very scarce. McKey's boat has been confiscated by the Department, and doubtless it will not be handed over again unless a certain sum is paid for its redemption. This might be taken into consideration when the Court imposes a penalty." Mr. McKean: You did this deliberately, did you not? McKey: Yes, but the boat was not mine. I'm only the skipper. The owner of the boat cannot go to sea. I made arrangements with two other members of the crew that if we were caught we would all share the fine, but they have walked out on me since. I did not catch any fish on this occasion, for we found the inspector there." "Well, in that case, as you deliberately committed this offence and even arranged to shar.e the fine, you are not deservingj of any sympathy," the magistrate told: the skipper. "You will be fined £10, 1 costs 10/, and solicitor's fee £2 -2/."