Fish & Game welcomes guilty verdicts for poachers’ ‘trout slaughter’

Two Bay of Plenty men have been found guilty of poaching as many as 60 spawning trout from an isolated stream near Lake Rotoiti last winter – in what has been described as the worst such poaching case in a decade.

In the Rotorua District Court, Judge Weir found Thomas TAWHA and David LEEF guilty – remanding them on bail for sentence to January 12, 2015.

The judge rejected their attempt to refuse the court’s jurisdiction and claim customary rights to take the fish – saying these rights do not apply to trout as an introduced species.

In handing down his verdict, Judge Weir said it was a case of what he described as “ruining a spawning area and slaughtering fish. ”

Tawha and Leef had represented themselves and the judge urged them to get legal representation, warning they could face imprisonment.

Eastern Fish & Game Region Manager Andy Garrick says the guilty verdicts are very pleasing.

“These two have effectively dealt a serious blow to local breeding stocks and future fish numbers in that lake. A huge amount of damage was done beyond the fish taken - through damage to eggs and destruction of spawning redds (nests) in the stream bed.

“These small Rotoiti tributaries are always closed which reflects their importance as areas where fish can spawn safely, unmolested – and contribute to the future viability of the fishery.”

Mr Garrick says that with poaching on such a scale “they’ve stolen from the Rotorua community which heavily relies on tourism.”

“Fishing for trout, including what anglers spending on food and accommodation, contributes millions to the local economy.

“Trout fishing is one of the sports that provides jobs and income to many - by the time the purchase of boats, equipment, fishing charters, licences and much more are taken into account.

“These two have also stolen from the law abiding locals who buy a licence – then catch trout and put food on their families’ tables. And they’ve stolen from licenceholders whose licence money goes toward protecting and enhancing the fishery.”

Mr Garrick notes that claims made by the defendants that the Court had no jurisdiction over them in relation to the charges failed – with the Court sending the message that the law applies equally to everyone.

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