Key Takeaways
- 26 people were caught in 2025 illegally trading seafood gathered recreationally in New Zealand.
- The rules state that only seafood caught by a person with a valid commercial fishing permit can be sold legally.
- A Nelson man, Joshua Spooner, was charged after selling crayfish and pāua on social media without a commercial permit.
- Fishery officers use a graduated enforcement model, starting with education and direction, to ensure compliance with fishery rules.
- The most common excuse for breaching fish and seafood size limits is that people "don’t know the rules".
Introduction to the Problem
The illegal trading of recreational catch has become a significant issue in New Zealand, with 26 people caught in 2025 for breaching fishery rules. One such case is that of Joshua Spooner, a Nelson man who was charged after selling crayfish and pāua on social media without a commercial permit. Spooner’s actions were detected by eagle-eyed MPI fishery officers, who regularly patrol the coastline to ensure compliance with fishery rules.
The Rules and Regulations
The rules state that only seafood caught by a person with a valid commercial fishing permit can be sold legally. This is to ensure that the resource remains sustainable and to protect the livelihoods of legitimate commercial operators. Commercial fishing is a highly regulated activity, with operators incurring significant costs, including the purchase of annual catch entitlements, permit fees, and taxes. They also have to abide by strict reporting rules to help ensure the viability of stocks.
The Consequences of Breaching the Rules
Breaching fishery rules can have serious consequences, including fines and prosecution. In Spooner’s case, he pleaded guilty to three charges brought by MPI and faces a large fine. His ute and cellphone were also forfeited. Other cases of breaching fishery rules include exceeding catch limits, fishing in marine reserves, improper tagging, and failing to report catch. In 2024, 431 people were issued with infringement notices nationwide for breaching fish and seafood size limits, while a further 30 were prosecuted.
The Graduated Enforcement Model
Fishery officers use a graduated enforcement model to ensure compliance with fishery rules. This starts with education and direction, with the aim of helping people understand the rules. More serious cases may result in warning notices, infringement fines, and prosecution. MPI director of fishery compliance Steve Ham said that prosecution is reserved for serious cases or when "lesser interventions fail to change behaviour". Most issues are resolved through education, with Ham stating that most people are willing to comply with the rules once they understand them.
The Black Market Trade
New Zealand has a "serious problem" with the unlawful taking of rock lobster (crayfish) to service a large black-market trade. This is a high-value species, making it "especially vulnerable to poaching". The clandestine nature of poaching makes it difficult to quantify the illegal take, but it is believed to be "significant". Offenders such as Spooner may fish regularly, but usually do not exceed daily recreational catch limits. However, quantities taken over time are "substantially more" than any person or family could sensibly consume, with most of their catch sold illegally or traded on the black market.
The Risks of Black Market Seafood
There are also "significant health risks" when seafood product is not handled well and processed to approved standards. Black-market traders operate outside the quota management system, incurring none of the costs, and do not provide information about their fishing activities. This puts the sustainability of the resource at risk and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate commercial operators.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The illegal trading of recreational catch is a serious issue in New Zealand, with significant consequences for the sustainability of the resource and the livelihoods of legitimate commercial operators. Fishery officers are working to ensure compliance with fishery rules, using a graduated enforcement model that starts with education and direction. The public can play a role in reporting suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24). It is also essential to download the free NZ Fishing Rules Mobile App to stay up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations. By working together, we can help protect the resource and ensure the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s fisheries.