An amateur fishing charter company that illegally caught crayfish for customers and served it as a meal has been fined $60,000.

Fiordland Cruises Limited was sentenced on one charge under the Fisheries Act in the Invercargill District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

The Court granted relief from forfeiture of the company’s vessel, Southern Secret, upon payment of a redemption fee of $47,000.

Fisheries New Zealand Compliance Regional Manager South, Garreth Jay, says MPI received several complaints about charter vessel operators working in the Fiordland Marine Area, which included Fiordland Cruises Limited’s vessel Southern Secret.

“Allegations suggested seafood meals were being used to encourage paying passengers to take part in charter trips. Other concerns included questions about who was gathering the seafood – the charter operators or the paying guests.

“We provided all charter operators, including Fiordland Cruises Limited, with clear information on the rules – including that only a passenger catching fish recreationally can have it served to them aboard a charter vessel, and we expect those rules to be followed.”

MPI’s investigation found that between January and October 2023, Fiordland Cruises Limited ran 162 Amateur Fishing Charters, during which 1,630 crayfish were taken and served to paying guests onboard for lunch.

The 1,630 crayfish would have cost between $239,610 and $244,500 on the domestic market, based on a retail value of $147-$150kg.

“When we find evidence of fish being taken and used outside of the quota management system (QMS) for commercial purposes – we take action. The QMS ensures the sustainability of fishing activity and economic prosperity of fishery resources and legitimate commercial operators,” says Mr Jay.

“During MPI’s investigation, Fishery Officers boarded the Southern Secret and found passengers who had not been fishing, were served crayfish for lunch. Guests reported that they did not take part in catching or taking the crayfish and that they saw the cray pots being cleared by the crew.

“Furthermore – the skipper told us that along with the chef, they would lift the craypots while passengers watched. This is illegal behaviour from a company does not hold a commercial fishing licence and is not a Licensed Fish Receiver. A commercial business cannot catch fish recreationally and serve it to customers,” says Garreth Jay.

We encourage people to report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224).