Man caught poaching almost 500 paua from marine reserve sentenced

A Christchurch man caught stealing 486 pāua from a protected marine reserve near Kaikōura , has been sentenced to four months' home detention.

48-year-old Bruce Honey Tata was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday following a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  investigation. 

A Fishery Officer spotted Tata and his 26-year-old son, Biyhan Tata, diving for shellfish at the Hikurangi Marine Reserve. 

The pair then attempted to hide a sack of pāua near a concrete sea barrier before being stopped by police, who recovered the bag. 

Upon inspection, officials found that of the 486 pāua taken,159 were undersize.

Image: The pāua seized by Fishery Officers, and the sack hidden by the offenders (MPI)

While Bruce Tata initially claimed the shellfish were intended for a social event, investigators found electronic evidence of pāua sales. 

"He intended to sell the pāua, which is illegal," Fisheries New Zealand regional manager south, Garreth Jay, said.

 "Fishery Officers have zero tolerance for this behaviour, which threatens the sustainability of this important shared resource,” he added. 

As part of his sentence, Tata must attend and complete an appropriate Tikanga Programme or counselling. His son, Biyhan, was sentenced in March to five months’ community detention for his role in the offending.

MPI continues to urge the public to report any suspected illegal activity to the 0800 4 POACHER line.