An elderly man is facing fines of up to $20,000 after being caught carrying more than three times the legal limit of green lipped mussels this week.

The 69-year-old Mount Maunganui man was found with 163 green lipped mussels in his possession by fishery officers on patrol at Newdicks Beach in Maketu on Monday, June 4.

The man was found with 163 green lipped mussels.

The daily individual limit in the Western Bay of Plenty area is 50 green lipped mussels per person.

As a result of his alleged offending, the man had his dinghy and dive gear, including a breathing apparatus set, wet suit, dive tanks and other equipment, seized by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Coromandel compliance manager Brendon Mikkelsen says the man now faces likely prosecution through the courts for possession of excess shellfish.

This carries a maximum fine of up to $20,000 and, if convicted, includes the likely forfeiture of the vessel and dive gear to the Crown.

'The possible consequences of breaching the fisheries rules in this case should help form a deterrent to others, as well as the continued support from the local community.

'Our honorary fishery officers carried out patrols over Queens Birthday weekend in the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty area and on the whole found most people complying with fisheries regulations.”

Brendon says members of the public who see any unlawful activity – including suspected poaching and/or offering seafood for sale on the black market – should phone the Ministry's freephone hotline - 0800 4 POACHER.

'The assistance of the public by reporting suspicious or illegal activity to fishery officers is a key element in protecting the fishery and ensures its sustainability for future generations.”