A 39 year old man is having to pay a $1000 fine after being found guilty of whitebait fishing within 20 metres of the Orini floodgates.

Matiu Hohua was sentenced in the Whakatane District Court to pay the fine and $130 court costs for his actions on September 17 and 21, when he was observed fishing by the floodgate.

There are five signs at the floodgates indicating that is illegal to whitebait fish within 20 metres of them.

Department of Conservation Gisborne Whakatane area manager Andy Bassett says people must fish by the rules or face prosecution.

'We are very pleased with this outcome, the assistance of the police in apprehending Mr Hohua is also very good,” says Andy.

'We hope that by now people get the message strongly, Mr Hohua was a repeat offender and justice was served.”