A West Coast-based fishing boat has been caught trawling inside a marine reserve, in the first serious breach since the reserves were designated two years ago.
The five reserves were officially opened in September 2014, covering 174 square kilometres of inshore territory at Kahurangi and Punakaiki in Buller, and Waiau-Glacier Coast, Tauparikaka and Hautai-Gorge River, in South Westland.
Apart from people allegedly using a kontiki to fish at Punaikaiki, and a German tourist taking mussels, compliance so far has been good.
However, the first serious breach is now under investigation.
Department of Conservation operations manager Bob Dickson said today Doc rangers in a helicopter recently spotted the boat which appeared to be trawling within the Kahurangi marine reserve.
"They flew over and got GPS for it," Mr Dickson said.
He confirmed the boat was from the West Coast.
"The owner has been spoken to and the skipper. It's under investigation."
The Royal New Zealand Navy was also off the West Coast last week doing checks.
Three Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) fishery officers joined with the navy for Operation Sweep, patrolling from Nelson to Haast and back into the Marlborough Sounds.
A number of commercial and recreational vessel inspections were conducted, in conjunction with land-based inspections of the likes of restaurants.
"Compliance levels were great, with only one minor offence occurring on the first day," MPI said on its Facebook page.
Mr Dickson said the navy had carried out marine reserve checks on behalf of Doc and would return in summer.
"We don't divulge when that might be. Any breach reported to us will be investigated."
- By Laura Mills
