Commercial fisher fined for trawling through Kahurangi Marine Reserve

Friday 12 September 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Sat 13 Sep 2025, 6:56pm

In this story Ministry for Primary Industries

Kelly Gavin Scoles, 37, has been fined $15,000 after trawling through a protected marine reserve off the South Island in May 2024. The commercial fisher towed a net through the 16km reserve, catching approximately 700kg of fish. He was sentenced in the Kaikohe District Court on charges under the Marine Reserves and Fisheries Acts.

How they headlined it

3h21h

Fri 5:14pm9:31pmSat 6:56pm

1. StuffFri 12 Sep 2025, 5:14pm

   Commercial fisher fined $15,000 for trawling through protected marine reserve (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsFri 12 Sep 2025, 6:13pm

   Commercial fisherman fined after trawling in marine reserve (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldFri 12 Sep 2025, 9:31pm

   Fisherman fined $15,000 for illegal trawl in Kahurangi Marine Reserve (opens in new tab)

4. RNZSat 13 Sep 2025, 6:56pm

   Commercial fisherman caught trawling through protected marine reserve (opens in new tab)