Korean trawler decision criticised

Press, 4 January 1980, Page 2

Korean trawler decision criticised

I PA Nelson , w- V'W' ? ’ - The Federation of Commercial Fishermen has described as “strange” a decision to allow- the Korean trawler Cinco Oceanus No. 152 to discharge her catch after being apprehended off Cape Farewell earlier this week. The federation’s liaison officer. Mr I. McWhannell, said in Nelson yesterday that as the law stood a New Zealander caught in such a situation could have his boat and catch confiscated. The Cinco Oceanus was ordered to Wellington on New Year’s Eve after she was boarded and nets examined by men from H.M.N.Z.S. Pukaki. “It is strange that this vessel, having been apprehended, is allowed to reduce its potential fine by discharg-

ing its catch to a carrier vessel in Tasman Bay,” said Mr McWhannell, Fishermen were also concerned, he said, that the decision to allow the Cinco Oceanus to discharge her catch could be made during a holiday period when contact with Government departments could not be made. The decision must have been made at a high level and the nation seemed to be “bending over backwards” .to make sure the vessel did not lose money, Mr McWhannell said.

Fishermen would not accept the excuse, suggested by an officer on the Cinco Oceanus on Wednesday, that the net -size was the result of a factory fault. “It is well known in New Zealand that Korean nets are not reliable,” Mr McWhannell said.