Fish Poachers Cause Concern

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32351, 17 July 1970, Page 24

Fish Poachers Cause Concern

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, July 16. The poaching of trout in the Lake Taupo district Is causing concern to officers of the Wildlife Division of the Department of Internal Affairs. Wildlife staff at Taupo and Tiirangi are working long hours in an attempt to combat the destruction of trout The conservator of wildlife in Rotorua (Mr P. J. Burstall) said last week that poachers were using every conceivable Instrument, including slashers, pitchforks, spears, and gaffs, (o catch trout Most of the poachers were working in the early morning in shallow spawning streams. “We jnst cannot afford to lose these fish,” he said. The fish have got to the spawning streams from the

lake to reproduce after going through all the natural hazards, including the pressure of fishing in the lakes. “To get them to the spawning streams and then have them poacbed out is just too much. It is a conservation tragedy.” Mr Burstall said It was a recognised fact that spawning grounds were sacrosanct and pointed out that the mortality rate of trout from the egg to the fully grown fish was more than 99 per cent in this district “The poaching is not confined to adults,” he said. Children, apparently working for adults, had alio been found illegally taking fish from streams. He warned that wildlife officers were now working 24-hour patrols in the Taupo and Turangl areas. Twelve people a week were being apprehended.