An Auckland fisherman has been sentenced for what is being described as the largest-ever recorded breach of the daily recreational snapper limit.
Loseli Utumoengalu was sentenced to 320 hours community work for taking 325 snapper.
The 43-year-old Three Kings man had pleaded guilty to taking more than his daily recreational allowance of snapper and admitted intending to sell his catch.
The maximum penalty is five years in prison or a fine of $250,000.
At the time of the offence the daily recreational allowance for snapper for the northeast North Island was nine per person per day. It is now seven per person per day.
*** I looked at the price of Gurnard in the supermarket today, $30.00 a kilo for fresh fillets. It's little wonder some less than reputable individuals are using fish to make easy money.
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by Richard on 15/8/2014, 8:55 pm, in reply to "Easy Money."
Hi Guys and Girls Don't we all think that it is about time that the courts got really tough with these people and went to the limit of the sentences that they are able to mete out to those who cause so much waste as when you look at this Gentleman (and I use the term lightly) he has wasted 250 odd fish that many other fishing people could have caught and eaten. My opinion the judges are a bunch of asses.
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by Hangler on 16/8/2014, 11:52 am, in reply to "Re: Easy Money."
You have a good point. However, it must also recognised commercials have graded their catch to only land top value fish, dumping the rest.
If these guys are caught, then withdrawing their quota and confiscating their vessel would be a good example, then bring the punishment for amateur fishos into line with with the seriousness of their crime.
In all fairness over recent years the courts have been clamping down pretty hard on amateur fishing offences, especially regarding shellfish greed. The guy at the centre of this case may have no assets that can be seized and no financial backing that would enable a large fine to ever being paid. He admitted he took the excess fish so they could be sold. Sad but true.
Breaking the rules of fishing seems to be working hand in glove with those who now chose to go rustling. In Hawke's Bay there have been many incidents over recent months where sheep (especially) have been stolen for easy money.
I make no excuses for people who undertake such activities. However, no jobs, very little money and a hungry family tends to encourage the worst from people. The queues at food banks seem to be getting longer ... again sad but true.
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by Chad on 19/8/2014, 9:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Easy Money."
Having a little experience in this field, I can tell you the cost of the court case would have cost far more to run than the punishment given for the crime.
I could write a book of how disgusted I am from this case, from the actions the men took, right through to the sentencing.
As an avid fisherman, and im sure everyone has a similar view, the punishment was incredibly light. The big problem with this is that the potential gain from these actions outweigh the punishment. This means the risk involved is a minimal concern when conducting illegal fishing for others in future, it just doesn't send the right message to poachers.
Its disappointing to say the least. Wairoa Hawkesbay
Take Nothing For Granted
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by fishbait on 20/8/2014, 9:38 am, in reply to "Re: Easy Money."
The only way to stop or a least slow these people is to hammer them, the maximum penalty is five years in prison or a $250,000. fine, well he probably couldn't or wouldn't pay a fine and that would probably be converted into a weak kneed 200 hours community service..... give the guy five years in jail, and no time off for so called good behaviour.
Until judges grow a pair and get tough, this is never going to go away, but I would wager that a couple of dozen people going to prison for maximum sentences and the problem of poaching would dwindle really fast. I don't really see how hard it is.
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by Hangler on 20/8/2014, 8:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Easy Money."
Nice idea but I would rather see long sentences for those who break into homes and commit violent crimes. I believe at present the cost of keeping a prisoner behind bars is around $800.00 a week, this would mean a substantial increase in taxes to pay for their upkeep.
This guy got 320 hours community service. At least this way he is putting something back into the community instead of costing the community money for his keep ... just a thought.
Re: Easy Money.
Posted by Hangler on 25/8/2014, 3:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Easy Money."
on 15/8/2014, 3:30 pm