Imagine being fined $60,000 for serving lunch to your customers—a lunch that just happened to include illegally caught crayfish worth nearly a quarter of a million dollars. That’s exactly what happened to a fishing charter company in New Zealand’s stunning Fiordland region. Fiordland Cruises Limited found itself in hot water after the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) successfully prosecuted the company for violating the Fisheries Act. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the company was fined, the court allowed them to keep their vessel, the Southern Secret, after paying a $47,000 redemption fee. Is that justice, or a loophole? Let’s dive into the details.
The case began with multiple complaints about charter operators in the Fiordland Marine Area, including the Southern Secret. Allegedly, these operators were using seafood meals as a lure to attract paying passengers—a practice that raises eyebrows for more than one reason. And this is the part most people miss: the blurry line between who was actually catching the seafood—the charter crew or the paying guests? An MPI investigation revealed that between January and October 2023, Fiordland Cruises ran 162 amateur fishing charters, during which a staggering 1,630 crayfish were caught and served to guests for lunch. The catch? They didn’t have a commercial fishing license.
To put it in perspective, those crayfish could have fetched between $239,610 and $244,500 on the domestic market, based on retail prices of $147 to $150 per kilogram. Fisheries NZ compliance manager Garreth Jay noted that officers who boarded the Southern Secret found passengers enjoying crayfish lunches despite not participating in the fishing. Guests confirmed they hadn’t caught the crayfish themselves and had seen the crew clearing the cray pots. The skipper admitted that the crew, including the chef, would lift the pots while passengers watched—a clear violation of fishing regulations.
Here’s the kicker: A commercial business cannot catch fish recreationally and serve it to customers, especially without a commercial license or being a Licensed Fish Receiver. Jay emphasized that all charter operators had been briefed on the rules, leaving no room for ignorance. But does this mean the system is foolproof? MPI vows to take action against anyone found exploiting the quota management system (QMS), which is designed to ensure sustainable fishing and protect legitimate operators. Yet, cases like this raise questions about enforcement and accountability.
So, what do you think? Was the fine enough, or should the penalties be harsher? And how can we better educate operators and passengers to prevent such incidents? Let’s spark a conversation in the comments—your thoughts could shape how we view and enforce fishing regulations in the future. If you suspect illegal fishing activity, remember to report it to MPI’s 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224). After all, the ocean’s bounty is for everyone—but only if we play by the rules.
