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Busting Paua Smugglers

From NZ Society 18 February 2015

They're busy busting "PBM" or poaching black market with the "black gold" paua-smuggling rings. Lynda Chanwai-Earle spent a day following the men and women working hard to protect our coastlines as Fishery Compliance Officers, to make sure there are enough fish left in the sea for future generations.

Discussing Operation Pikirere, CO Shay Lalich (left), Snr CO Scott Bernie, Mana Island in distance

CO Shay Lalich briefs team for covert Operation Pikirere

Overlooking Titahi Bay, Covert Operation Pikirere

Hundreds of undersized paua evidence left under bushes around coast

Evidence of poaching hundreds of shells litter beach

Co Shay Lalich with evidence of undersized paua

Divers assist CO Shay Lalich to inspect their catch

Divers help CO Shay Lalich inspect catch

Evidence kept frozen for upcoming prosecution

Inspecting boats at Mana Boat Ramp.

Inspecting size of finfish.

Inspecting the paua catch.

Measuring crayfish

Keeping good rapport with local divers.

Looking for poachers, CO Shay Lalich and Snr CO Scott Bernie

Measuring paua catch customary permit

Plundered coastline affected by poaching

Releasing seized catch back into the sea

Searching coastline for paoching CO Shay Lalich

Seized catch to be released

Seized paua recorded

Seriously undersized paua evidence of poaching.

Black gold - legal size blackfoot abalone.

Tuna is legal size

Undersized blue cod.

Wellington's coastline hammmered by poaching

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.