Ministry for Primary Industry fishery officers were kept on their toes after dealing with 26 separate incidents in the Thames Coromandel district over Labour Weekend.

Officers issued 14 infringement notices and 10 warnings, while two recreational fishers are likely to be charged for exceeding quotas and collecting undersized shellfish.

A total of 26 separate incidents were recorded by Ministry for Primary Industry fishery officers during Labour Weekend. Photo: File

MPI Waikato/Bay of Plenty District compliance manager Brendon Mikkelsen says 18 officers inspected the catch of more than 450 recreational fishers over two days during the long weekend.

'Fourteen infringement notices for taking too many paua or kina, or taking undersized paua were issued, resulting in instant fines totalling $5500.

'While there were 10 warnings regarding undersized snapper, scallops and crayfish.”

These incidents occurred in Waikawau, Tuateawa, Kennedy Bay, Pauanui, Sailors Grave, and Te Mata.

Two recreational fishers are also expected to be charged over separate incidents, both involving shellfish and occurring in the Coromandel.

'Charges are likely to be laid over incidents where one fisher took too many paua and undersized paua, while the other fisher took too many pipis and cockles.”

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

MPI District North Harbour compliance manager Mike Simmons says the Labour Weekend inspections targeted low tide gatherers, boat ramps and used one roadside check point in the Coromandel.

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

For information on limits, sizes, plus closures and other rules visit www.mpi.govt.nz

To report any suspicious fishing activity confidentially call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).