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I have just heard on the 4 o'clock NEWS that a "MAUI DOLPHIN' had ben trapped in a SET NET..
MAF introduced a Ban on Set Netting off the Kaikoura Coast several years ago.
The Ban was not reported in all the local Newspapers so I was oblivious to the Ban when I set an "AMATEUR REGULATION SET NET" over the Xmas period of 2010.
AS A RESULT I WAS PROSECUTED, FINED, HAD MY BOAT CONFISCATED, AND ALL MY CATCH, PLUS PUT THROUGH A LOT OF MENTAL ANGUISH AND EXPENSE.
I was told by the FISHERIES OFFICERS that the Ban was to protect the dolphins, and that if I wanted to set a net it would have to be 4 Km off shore. (Thats where the dolphins live and feed) Oh the brain power of MAF.
What the hell? I have never seen a dolphin in that area in the 20 years that I have fished that spot, and as an underwater diver I would not expect to see one within 50 yards of the shore where the net was set, nor have I.
There was a case of Hectors Dolphins being caught in nets beyond the 4 Km distance from shore but the facts were hidden from the public until somebody with a bit of integrity told the "PRESS".
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR BUREAUCRATS MAKING AMBITIOUS, ILL FOUNDED ASSUMPTIONS AND PUSHING MINISTER'S TO HAVE LEGISLATION PASSED TO JUSTIFY THEIR JOBS.
Reading a Fishermans Magazine a couple of months ago I was suprised to see that the legilation in that (Kaikoura) area is going to be repealed.
I dont expect that I will get my Fine back and I certainly don't expect an apology from MAFish and are in fact as guilty as sin by expecting to be paid by taxpayers for their own incompetence.
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