Two Canterbury real estate agents who caught crayfish for an end of year office party are hoping to escape conviction.
Dougal Boyd, 58, and Benjamin Rhys Donaldson, 30, admitted taking crayfish from the Pohatu Marine Reserve in Akaroa on December 5, Court News reports.
Prosecutor Susan Newell said in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday the pair were on a six metre boat at Dyke Head and were well into the reserve when they were met by fishery officers.
All forms of fishing are prohibited in the reserve.
A fisheries officer found they had caught nine crayfish - three of which were undersized.
The men said they had not measured their catch yet and they would have put the undersized crayfish back.
Defence for both men, Jonathan Eaton QC, said the pair did not pay enough attention to signs at the jetty that pointed out they could not dive in the reserve, Court News report.
However, Mr Eaton said the men made a "genuine mistake" and were "embarrassed and ashamed".
The men offered support to the Department of Conservation (DoC) through education programmes or donations, but diversion was refused.
Ms Newell told the judge a large number of offenders have been diverted, but the offending only seems to be increasing and deterrence is needed.
DoC seized their diving gear but agreed to return it rather than confiscate it.
A hearing to discuss if the men can be discharged without conviction is set for November 23.
Newshub.
