Detector dogs to sniff out illegal paua export

A new breed of detector dog is being trained to help combat illegal export of paua from New Zealand.

Minister of Fisheries Jim Anderton yesterday described paua smuggling as "big business", and said he was concerned about the threat it posed to New Zealand's economic well-being.
Mr Anderton watched two trainee detector dogs, Luke and Taz, demonstrating their skills at Auckland International Airport yesterday.

"Paua means so much to New Zealanders, and is part of our cultural identity. We are taking steps to stop those involved and shut down their routes for exporting what they have stolen," he said.

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