Photo: ODT FilesA Fiordland fishing charter company served up illegal crayfish worth quarter of a million dollars as lunches for paying guests, a court has heard. The company did not have to forfeit its vessel, Southern Secret, if it paid a redemption fee of $47,000. Fisheries New Zealand compliance regional manager south Garreth Jay said MPI received several complaints about charter vessel operators working in the Fiordland Marine Area, including the Southern Secret. He said the crayfish would have cost between $239,610 and $244,500 on the domestic market, based on a retail value of $147-$150kg. This is illegal behaviour from a company does not hold a commercial fishing licence and is not a Licensed Fish Receiver.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 10, 2026 23:34 UTC