Ministry for Fisheries is publicising the rules for scallop fishers this season, which begins September 1.
There are often problems with people taking too many shell fish or raking ones that are too small.
Knowing these rules is important according to Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley, 'Fishers need to make sure they know the bag limits, size limits and seasons before they go fishing.”

The minimum legal size for scallops in the region is 100mm measured across the widest part of the shell.
The legal bag limit for scallops is 20 per fisher per day although divers may take an extra bag for each of up to two people on board a boat – provided they are acting as safety people for the divers.
When dredging for scallops, only those actively involved in fishing are entitled to a daily bag limit.
Phil says, 'Stick to the minimum size limits; they are carefully set to make sure there will be enough scallops left for the future.
'Taking undersized scallops could affect the fishery by reducing the amount of spawning and small scallops contributing to the fishery in future.
'Only take what you need; fish for a feed and not to fill the freezer. The bag limits are set to make sure there will be scallops around to catch in future seasons.”
Fishery Officers and Honorary Fishery Officers will be patrolling and inspecting scallop catches. Fines of $250 to $500 per offence can be imposed on fishers who ignore the rules. Serious breaches can result in confiscation of diving gear, boats and vehicles.
'Fishery Officers have the job of protecting our fish stocks for future generations; they don't want to write tickets, but if you ignore the rules you leave them no choice,” says Phil.
The scallop seasons begins 1 September and closes on 31 March next year.