A marine conservationist who spent time on the Austro Carina says fishing boats often tow their lines close to Banks Peninsula.
Peter Langlands has spent many hours on board fishing trawlers as an observer - including the Austro Carina in the 1990s.
Two investigations have been launched into how the 25-metre vessel, which was carrying thousands of litres of diesel, ran aground at Red Bluff.
Peter Langlands says the area it was working in is a very productive fishery.
Langlands spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
