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An investigation into the sandmining practises of McCallum Bros, off Pakiri, has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove the company disturbed protected stony corals during dredging operations.
Department of Conservation wildlife crime team lead Dylan Swain said DOC would not be pursuing enforcement action.
“Although corals were identified in the area, there is insufficient evidence to prove stony corals were disturbed by the company,” Swain said.
“Our role was to investigate two alleged breaches of the Wildlife Act 1953. Under the Act it is an offence to take or disturb absolutely protected marine wildlife without authority. It is also an offence to fail to report accidental or incidental death or injury of marine wildlife.”
McCallum’s lost its battle to continue mining sand off the coast of Pakiri and Te Arai last year, and is now focused on a fast-track application for sand mining further north in Bream Bay. This project has also been met with strong community opposition.
