Trout Poachers caught in act!

Fish & Game Officers carrying out checks at a local Rotorua Trout spawning stream on Friday afternoon (26th August) located and apprehended 2 men aged 17 and 40 yrs, and a 17 year old woman, who had allegedly been poaching spawning trout. The trio were found in possession of a net, and a total of 25 freshly killed rainbow trout.

Enquiries into this matter are continuing and the trio will face charges in relation to this incident.

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp says it is very disappointing to see trout poaching on such a scale, and the taking of spawning trout in numbers such as this, combined with disturbance commonly caused by poachers to spawning grounds can have a serious impact on trout fisheries in the long term.

“It is vital that people keep out of spawning streams, and leave trout alone to spawn undisturbed, as the long term viability and success of trout fisheries depends on this”

Fish & Game issue a reminder and warning that trout poachers caught will be charged and face penalties of up to 12 months in prison, and fines of up to $10,000.

And a reminder: Our poaching hot-line is 0800 Poaching (0800 762 244)

ENDS

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