Part 13Offences and penalties
Penalties
255CForfeiture for section 252(2), (3), and (5) offences, offences carrying fine of $100,000, repeat offences, and serious non-commercial offences
Subsection (2) applies in the following cases:
- on conviction for an offence referred to in section 252(2) or (3) or (5) (other than an offence referred to in section 252(5)(ba)):
- on conviction for a second or subsequent offence referred to in section 252(3A):
- on conviction for an offence against this Act for which the person is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 (other than an offence referred to in section 252(5)(ba)):
- on conviction for a serious non-commercial offence:
- where a person has been convicted of 2 or more offences against this Act (other than an offence referred to in section 252(5)(ba) or (5A)) and—
- the offences were committed on more than 1 occasion within a period of 3 years; and
- the offences were offences for which the person was liable to a fine exceeding $5,000.
- the offences were committed on more than 1 occasion within a period of 3 years; and
The following are forfeit to the Crown unless the court for special reasons relating to the offence orders otherwise:
- any fish and any proceeds from the sale of such fish; and
- any illegal fishing gear in respect of which the offence was committed (whether or not seized under section 207); and
- any property used in the commission of the offence; and.
- in the case of a conviction for an offence under section 186P, any property (excluding fish farm structures) used in the fish farm concerned.
On conviction of a person for an offence referred to in section 252(5)(ba), the court may order that any property used in the commission of the offence is forfeit to the Crown.
On conviction of a person for an offence referred to in section 252(2), (3), (3A), or (5)(ba), the court may order that—
- any quota is forfeit to the Crown; and
- any associated quota is forfeit to the Crown, unless the court is satisfied that section 255E(3B) applies to preclude forfeiture.
Subsections (2) and (2A) do not apply to require the forfeiture of—
- any foreign flagged vessel in respect of an offence committed outside New Zealand fisheries waters; or
- any fish on board or property associated with such a vessel in respect of such an offence.
Notes
- Section 255C: inserted, on , by section 59 of the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 101).
- Section 255C(1)(a): amended, on , by section 13(1) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(1)(aa): inserted, on , by section 13(2) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(1)(b): amended, on , by section 49(1) of the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004 (2004 No 76).
- Section 255C(1)(b): amended, on , by section 13(3) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(1)(d): amended, on , by section 13(4) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(2)(c): amended, on , by section 12 of the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004 (2004 No 104).
- Section 255C(2)(d): added, on , by section 12 of the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004 (2004 No 104).
- Section 255C(2A): inserted, on , by section 13(5) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(3): substituted, on , by section 25 of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2001 (2001 No 65).
- Section 255C(3): amended, on , by section 13(6) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).
- Section 255C(4): added, on , by section 49(2) of the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004 (2004 No 76).
- Section 255C(4): amended, on , by section 13(7) of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 56).


