New Zealand Legislation: Acts

17 Purse seining

• (1) No person shall use any purse seine net for the purposes of fishing unless—

  • (a) That person has in the net an escape panel or aperture from which any dolphin or porpoise can readily escape; and

  • (b) That person follows a fishing practice acceptable to the Director-General.

  (2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, the Director-General may, from time to time by notice in the Gazette, grant, in respect of any person or class of persons, or any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, or hovercraft, or any fish, or any waters, exemption from the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, either wholly or partially and either with or without conditions; and may in like manner amend or revoke any such notice.

  (3) No exemption from the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall be given in respect of a purse seine net used in fishing for yellowfin tuna.

  (4) Every person commits an offence against this Act who contravenes subsection (1) of this section or, where any exemption has been granted by notice under subsection (2) of this section, contravenes or fails to comply with any conditions imposed by such notice.