The Department of Conservation is hoping the recent prosecution of six whitebaiters will send a strong anti-illegal whitebaiting message to poachers.

Travis Tane, 22, Tawhai Te Ariki, 20, Aiden Ohlson, 22, Peter Ford, 18, and Tawhai Taray, 24, were found guilty in the Whakatane District Court on March 20 for illegally fishing within 20 metres of either the Awatapu or Orini Canal floodgates.

Gisborne-Whakatane area manager Andy Bassett says all men were fined $1000 and ordered to pay court costs of $132.

They were also ordered by the court to forfeit their nets.

Mark Hohua, 37, of Whakatane was fined $200 with $132 court costs and forfeiture of his net for fishing outside the permitted 5am - 8pm whitebait fishing hours.

Andy says Hohua was apprehended by the NZ Police at 30 minutes past midnight whitebaiting from the Whakatane boat ramp.

Andy says they take the issue of illegal whitebaiting seriously and will continue to prosecute people who deliberately flaunt the regulations.

He says both the Awatapu and Orini floodgates have numerous signs informing the public that whitebait fishing is not permitted within 20 metres of the structure meaning there is no excuse for ignoring the rules.

'We have informed the public of the regulations with yearly media campaigns and on-site signage, this leaves us no alternative but to prosecute those who have scant disregard for the sustainability of the whitebait fishery.

'With the on-going efforts of DOC compliance staff, assisted by the NZ Police, the outcome from the court was a pertinent reminder to those who illegally whitebait fish that it could end up being a costly exercise.”