Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Whitebaiter remanded in custody for 10 weeks

Updated at 6:46 am on 3 August 2011

An Opotiki man has been remanded in custody for 10 weeks after being found guilty of taking whitebait illegally and threatening Department of Conservation rangers.

Peter Warren, 57, was found guilty on six charges in the Opotiki District Court last week.

DoC acting area manager James Holborow says rangers found Warren fishing on three occasions within 20 metres of a floodgate, which gave the whitebait very little chance.

"If you're fishing for them there, not too many fish can get past those floodgates and carry on up to keep the population going and you don't get anything to replace the stock that might die."

Mr Holborow says the offending is serious and is reflected in the judge's decision to remand Warren in custody until sentencing on 6 October.

Westcoast Whitebaiters Association president Des McEnaney says the case has sent a message to whitebaiters to respect the regulations and those that enforce them.

Mr McEnaney says there is often friction among whitebaiters on the West Coast, but most respect the Department of Conservation rangers.

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