A commercial fisherman from Whangarei has lost his boat for fishing illegally.
Kerry Waddal was caught using a dragnet to catch trevally, near Mair Bank in Whangarei Harbour, in March last year.
Fisheries officers seized his vessel, nets and 270kg of trevally, worth about $500.
Waddall admitted using an illegal fishing method and his catch and boat are now forfeit to the Crown.
Fisheries Minister, Whangarei MP Phil Heatley, says the penalty sends a clear message to commercial fishermen who think they are beyond the law.
