Back-to-back enforcement operations in the Taranaki region have exposed two separate groups caught illegally harvesting pāua from a closed stretch of coastline, with officers intercepting both within a single week.
The first group was stopped on Wednesday night near Ōpunake, where three people were found carrying 118 pāua, 16 of them undersize. Just 24 hours later, another three people were intercepted at Rahotu with a considerably larger haul: 338 pāua, of which 199 fell below the legal minimum size. Both incidents occurred within the Western Taranaki closure zone, which has been completely off-limits to shellfish gathering since 2023.
The second bust came directly from a tip-off to Fisheries New Zealand. Taranaki district manager Aaron Mendoza explained how officers acted on the information.
"We received a call on our 0800 4 POACHER line last night, reporting suspicious activity, including a vehicle registration," Mendoza said. "Our fishery officers responded, and with the support of New Zealand Police, stopped the gatherers in their vehicle after they had taken pāua from the Rahotu area."
All six offenders across both incidents are expected to face prosecution.
The Western Taranaki closure zone extends from Tapuae Stream, just south of New Plymouth, to Taungatara Stream, south of Ōpunake. No shellfish of any kind may be taken from the area, and the closure remains in force until December 2026. Mendoza was clear about why the restrictions exist and what illegal harvesting means for the broader community.
"The area is closed for a reason – to rebuild shellfish stocks and ensure sustainable fisheries into the future. When people disregard the rules, they're stealing from everyone."
For those gathering pāua legally elsewhere in the Taranaki region, the minimum shell length is 85 millimetres and the daily limit is five per person. Mendoza kept his message to would-be gatherers straightforward.
"Our message is simple," Mendoza added. "Help protect the fishery for everyone by knowing where you can fish and where you cannot."
Fishers wanting to stay across current regulations can download the free NZ Fishing Rules App, which carries up-to-date rules and functions offline. Anyone who spots suspicious activity on the water or coastline is encouraged to report it to the 0800 4 POACHER hotline.
