An Auckland fish trader has been fined $360,000 and an employee jailed for three years and seven months for receiving and distributing thousands of dollars in illegally-caught fish.
The amount of fish taken included 38,202 kilograms of snapper, 2,761 kilograms of kahawai and 1,760 kilograms of grey mullet.
Sea World Limited, which traded as Seamart, and employee Marco Taukatelata were sentenced on August 16 at the Auckland District Court on two charges under the Fisheries Act.
A former company director, Haihong Liu, was also sentenced on two charges under the Fisheries Act to 12 months’ home detention, including attempting to pervert the course of justice.
“Sea World was both a Licensed Fish Receiver (LFR) and a Dealer in Fish (DIF) which means it could legally receive fish from commercial fishers and distribute that fish to retailers,” Fisheries New Zealand Director of Fisheries Compliance Steve Ham says.
“As part of our investigation fishery officers found that between December, 2018, and November, 2019, this company acting as an LFR illegally supplied fish valued at over $348,000 to other seafood companies.
“None of this fish was properly recorded and was not reported as landed legally or received legally by Sea World.
“This was deliberate stealing by stealth that fell outside of the Quota Management System.”
The total cash benefit to Sea World was approximately $348,304.03.
“This offending would not have been possible without the direct involvement of Mr Taukatelata or the assistance of Ms Liu,” Ham says.
“Our investigation found most of the 97 transactions conducted during the investigation period were in cash.
“This was a deliberate attempt to hide the transactions and the motivation was financial greed.
“When we find evidence of illegal sales in fish – you can be assured that we will investigate and place the matter before the court.
“The court’s response should send a strong message to anyone involved in dealing in black market fish, whether at a low level or commercial level – it’s only a matter of time before you’re caught.”
Along with the sentences, a transport truck owned by Sea World and $20,000 cash were forfeited to the Crown.
Ham says while this part of the case is completed, there are other defendants to appear before the court on criminal charges.
MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24).
