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New Zealand law explained for everyone

Fisheries Act 1996

Offences and penalties - Penalties

253: Imprisonment of foreign persons

You could also call this:

"What happens to foreigners who break NZ fishing laws"

Illustration for Fisheries Act 1996

You are a person from another country. If you break a fishing law in New Zealand, you might not go to prison. This is because New Zealand has laws that say what happens to people who break the law. If you are not a New Zealand citizen and you break a fishing law, you will not go to prison if there is no agreement between New Zealand and your country. You will get a fine instead of going to prison. The fine can be up to $500,000. This law applies to people who are not New Zealand citizens and who break fishing laws related to foreign fishing vessels.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM398845.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Farming and fishingCrime and justice > Police and safetyImmigration and citizenship > Border control
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Part 13Offences and penalties
Penalties

253Imprisonment of foreign persons

  1. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary made between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of another country, nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorising the imposition of a term of imprisonment on any person (other than a New Zealand citizen or a person entitled to reside in New Zealand indefinitely) who is convicted of an offence against this Act in respect of a foreign fishing vessel.

  2. If, but for subsection (1), a person would be liable to suffer imprisonment for the commission of any offence, the person shall instead of such imprisonment be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000.

Notes
  • Section 253(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).