A substantial fine for a fishing company and master caught fishing in a protected area

Amaltal Fishing Co Limited, along with Charles Shuttleworth, have been fined more than 70 thousand dollars for bottom trawling on Lord Howe Rise, in the Tasman Sea in 2018.

Both were convicted in March for breaching the conditions of a high seas fishing permit, in Nelson District Court.

MPI Director of Compliance Services Gary Orr says fishing companies and skippers are expected to be fully aware of all areas closed to fishing.

He says today's sentencing sends a strong message such mistakes have consequences.