ILLEGAL FISHING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6543, 23 July 1948, Page 7

ILLEGAL FISHING

PROVISIONS OF NEW BILL SEVERE PENALTIES IMPOSED An increase from £lOO to £5OO in the maximum penalty for poaching in restricted waters is one of the provisions of the Fisheries Amendment Bill, which was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives. In an explanation of the Bill, the Minister of Marine (Mr Hackett) said it consolidated several amendments /md contained provisions deemed necessary by the Marine Department, the Department of Internal Affairs and acclimatisation societies. The prohibition on the export of fish caught in New Zealand territorial waters is extended, under the Bill by a clause applying to fish caught outside New Zealand waters by fishing boats licensed in New Zealand. The Bill also provides for an increase from £2O to £lOO in the maximum penalty for destroying salt water fish by means of explosives. Forfeiture of fishing boats and fishing gear used illegally will be dependent on the conviction of the offender, according to the Bill. The maximum penalty for the wilful destruction of fish suitable for human consumption is increased from £lO to £5O.

In the section of the Bill dealing with fresh water fisheries penalties of a fine up to £lOO or imprisonment up to two months are fixed for the taking of fish by explosives or by the deliberate use of ppisons, but provision is made for the taking of fish or ova for scientific investigation.