[Allan Burgess]

Rods and Fish Seized During Night Ranging Operation at Canals
Central South Island Fish & Game rangers were active at the Mackenzie Basin hydro canal fishery during the night over Labour Weekend. October 2022

Ranging occurred between the hours of 10 pm and 4 am on Friday night and Saturday morning.

The scheduled operation resulted in the detection of 12 offences committed by 7 individual anglers, including recidivist offenders. Rods and fish were seized.

Offences detected included: fishing without a licence, exceeding the daily bag limit and continuing to fish, providing false and misleading particulars to a ranger, unauthorised bait and unsporting methods.

“Unsporting method” offences are unique to Central South Island Fish & Game Region, being subject to the Second Schedule (regional regulation). See Note 1.3, page 36, of the 2022/23 South Island Sports Fishing Regulations Guide – an online version can be found here.

In this case the “unsporting method” detected was related to anglers sleeping while bait fishing. The actions of the anglers were deemed “unsporting” as the rangers could demonstrate the angler’s inability to detect a hooked fish on their line, inability to retrieve a hooked fish without undue delay, and inability to release any hooked fish that was undersize or unwanted with as little injury as possible.

All sports fishing offences are criminal offences subject to the Conservation Act 1987. Prosecution and forfeiture of any gear seized can result in the District Court.

All offenders are currently being considered for prosecution before the courts.

We hope the result of the ranging operation serves as a reminder that sports fishing regulations and licencing must be adhered to, day or night.

[Author]

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