Summer brings fresh concerns about Northland’s vulnerable marine environment

He agrees that some crimes may go undetected.

DoC oversees the protection of marine reserves in Whangārei Harbor and the Poor Knights.

Information obtained by Lawyer shows that over the past four years, pre-planned patrols by DoC have detected six crimes, leading to 12 enforcement actions, including violations.

That was far fewer than the 59 reports received from the public about fishing in marine reserves, seven of which were in Poor Knights.

Fourteen reports resulted in warning letters and infringement fines, and six were too late to be intercepted.

Gabrielle Goodin, DoC’s marine reserves program leader, said there are various reasons why people take offence.

“Sometimes it can be ignorance of the rules, sometimes it can be greed.

“However, ignorance is no excuse – it is the responsibility of the angler or gatherer to know and follow the rules.”

But why so many reports of rule violations but so little enforcement action?

Goodin said the offenders were unlikely to offend while his staff were there.

The chance of catching a suspected offender was greater because warrant officers were already nearby, she said.

However, it was common for criminals to have left a scene before staff could get there due to travel times.

“It takes time for mandated officers to orient themselves towards an answer. They often have to either drive considerable distances or prepare and launch the ships.”

Goodin some of DoC’s most important work has been in education, advocacy and prevention.

“We see this as the fence at the top of the cliff, as opposed to the ambulance at the bottom – these are important tools to protect marine life and prevent illegal fishing.”

Goodin admitted that effectively policing marine reserves was difficult because DoC does not have unlimited resources.

Fisheries officers from the Police and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) can provide extra help where needed and CCTV overlooking some reserves has been helpful, she said.

The department also relied on public reporting of suspicious activity.

“We can’t be everywhere at once and appreciate that so many New Zealanders are willing to help.”

Northland Regional Council’s Marine Protected Areas were established in 2022 and so far the council has contracted two vessels to patrol both areas.

Chairman Geoff Crawford said the council aimed to have water patrols for at least eight weeks a year in each protected area, particularly during the summer and at weekends.

Most of the people approached during the education phase of the no-go zones were not aware of the new rules, he said.

Crawford said the surveillance patrols have worked so far.

However, when asked about the merchant ship case earlier this year, which was initially reported through a casual observation rather than surveillance, he said important violations were reported so that prevention and enforcement could be targeted.

Crawford said official oversight is important to reassure the public that marine protection is taken seriously.

Banning rules have been the most effective tool to help marine ecosystems recover, he said.

Brodie Stone is a education and general news reporter at the Advocate. Brodie has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into the issues that matter to those in Northland and beyond.