A man has been fined $500 for using an oversized net to catch whitebait in the Uretara Estuary near Katikati.

The man appeared in Tauranga District Court today where he was granted diversion for breaking Whitebait Fishing Regulations.

The incident was reported to the Department of Conservation by a member of the public using the 0800 DOC Hotline.

A ranger responded and found the man was using a net which exceeded the legal size and had left it unattended.

The man has been ordered to pay $250 towards the Uretara Estuary manager and a further $250 to DOC to cover court costs.

DOC ranger Dan Rapson says this reinforces the importance of being aware of the rules and regulations around whitebaiting.

'The Whitebait Fishing Regulations are there to protect the whitebait fishery for future generations and people who break the rules are risking the future of whitebaiting.

'People caught offending against these regulations can be fined up to $5000.”

The whitebait fishing season in the North Island is between August 15 and November 30.

For more information - including full regulations - visit www.doc.govt.nz/whitebait