Letter to the Timaru Herald

Your article "Takeaway couple fined for paua buy" (15 February 2011) highlights an important issue in New Zealand fisheries. Poaching of seafood, and its trade on the black market, is a significant problem.

New Zealand's seafood industry operates within a strict set of regulations which are necessary to protect the resource for all. Those who chose to operate outside that system have a reckless disregard for sustainability. We congratulate the Ministry of Fisheries for its work to bring them to justice.

Peter Bodeker
Chief Executive
New Zealand Seafood Industry Council