Large scale and organised paua poaching around the Coromandel coast has been described as an act of shellfish selfishness by Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.

Seven men are likely to be charged with overfishing and poaching undersized paua in the Coromandel under the Fisheries Act.

Among those caught was one man who was found with 64 excess and undersized paua while another man was caught with 163 paua.

Another two people were found to have poached 39 paua and were issued with a $750 infringement notice.

'It is totally unacceptable for people to be plundering our beautiful environment," says Scott.

"There are rules around the quantity and size of shellfish that can be taken. Those rules have been put in place for good reason. People who abuse those rules put the entire fishery in jeopardy.

'I'm pleased these people have been caught and will likely face some stiff fines, but I suspect there have been many more instances of paua poaching that have gone undetected. Publicity about these offenders will hopefully help to discourage others.”