A word of warning to businesses in Auckland and Tauranga who deal in fish.
Fisheries officers have busted a suspected black market operation, accused of selling more than 12 tonnes of snapper illegally, over the past two months.
A fishing vessel has been seized, and charges are likely to be laid.
Ministry spokesman Brendon Mikkelsen is warning takeaway bars and the like, they shouldn't buy any fish without the right documentation.
“I think any non-licenced fish receiver, takeaway restaurant, that deals in fish should, as a matter of course, be expecting an invoice, or certainly documentation, ” he says.
Mr Mikkelson says investigations are continuing into the receivers of the undeclared snapper.
