Fishermen hit by black market

Press, 8 March 1989, Page 1

Fishermen hit by black market

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

An illicit black market fish trade in Christchurch is making it hard for fishermen to survive, says the president of the Lyttelton Fishermen’s Association, Mr Tony Threadwell.

The black market had cut the price fish fetched at daily auctions, thus hitting fishermen’s livelihoods, he said. “A lot of genuine fishermen are facing hardship but the illegal operators are getting away with it.”

Mr Pete Southen, senior fisheries investigator for MAFFish in Christchurch, said, “There is more than one operation in Christchurch but I do not want to say too much for fear of jeopardising investigations.” Inquiries were continuing into black market trade, he said.

“You would have to be naive to think the black market did not happen here.” Most of the illegal trade was in small-volume, high-value catches such as crayfish.

“I can’t say how much the black market would be worth here. Anyone who put a figure on

it would only be guessing,” Mr Threadwell said.

The legal fish trade in Christchurch would be worth more than $1 million, he said. Mr Threadwell said MAFFish was not to blame. It was under a lot of financial pressure with restructuring.

“Hopefully when things settle down then they will be a little more on the ball,” he said. Mr Southen, from the investigation branch of MAFFish, confirmed that it was “hamstrung to a large degree,” by a lack of staff in trying to fight the black market.

“But I believe people overrate the size of the black market,” he said.

If there was a large fish black market in the city it would tend to make fish cheaper, but fish prices had not changed, except for seasonal variations, he said. “In fact, fish is more expensive than usual for this time of year.” One fish retailer approached by “Tlie Press,” said he had heard rumours of black market operators but nothing specific. Fishing companies are believed to have suffered reduced

demand from some outlets believed to be getting black market supplies. MAFFish intended to fight the illegal trade and “fish fraud,” with provision for four special investigation branches in the South Island and more in the North Island, said Mr Southen.

He heads the Christchurch branch.

Officers would get more professional training, expected to last a year. MAFFish in Christchurch had only one out of four possible field officers positions filled. Others were expected to be appointed soon, said Mr Southen.

The Ministry had combated the black market salmon fishery during the last season, he said.

“We have been putting a great deal of emphasis on salmon and I believe we have dealt with it.” Mr Ron Grob, the district compliance manager for MAFFish in Dunedin, said there was no evidence of a large black market in Dunedin.

Efforts at compliance in Dunedin were also hampered by a lack of staff and funds, he said.