Bay of Plenty and Coromandel fishers caught flaunting the laws around Paua have been handed down fines totalling more than $5000.

During the long weekend, Ministry for Primary Industries officers inspected the catch of more than 450 recreational fishers in the Firth of Thames, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty, discovering a range of infringements.

Paua. Photo: File.

MPI District Compliance Manager Waikato/Bay of Plenty Brendon Mikkelsen says in total there were 14 infringement notices issued for taking too many paua or kina, or taking undersized paua.

These infringements resulted in instant fines totalling $5500.

There were also 10 warnings regarding undersized snapper, scallops and crayfish.

Brendon says Bay incidents were centralised to Newdicks Beach, Maketu and the Kaituna River, while in the Coromandel they were in Waikawau (Thames), Tuateawa (Coromandel), Kennedy Bay, Pauanui, Sailors Grave (Tairua), and Te Mata (Thames).

'There was a lower level of offending at Newdicks Beach and the Kaituna, which is good in terms of comparison (with the Coromandel),” says Brendon.

He says charges are also likely to be laid over two incidents in the Coromandel – one relating to taking too many paua and undersized paua, the other taking too many pipis and cockles.

Further north in the Hauraki Gulf, MPI officers seized a boat when the fishers were found with three times their daily limit of mussels. All three will face charges in Manukau District Court.

MPI officers were busy on the Hauraki Gulf inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational snapper regulations. One group of fishers are likely to face charges for keeping undersize snapper.

Ministry for Primary Industries District Compliance Manager North Harbour Mike Simmons says the Labour Weekend inspections from Bay of Plenty to the North Harbour targeted low tide gatherers, boat ramps and used one roadside check point in the Coromandel.

He says: 'The warmer months are popular for fishing and a great time for MPI staff to be out there talking to fishers and reinforcing the recreational rules.”

'It's a fisher's obligation to know the rules for the area they are fishing. Ignorance is not a defence, as there are many ways to be informed.”

Information of all limits and sizes, including closures and other rules, can be found on the MPI website here.

Fishing rules pamphlets are available at MPI offices and at many fishing shops, or text 9889 to have the NZ Fishing Rules App sent to your smart phone.

MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to: 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.