MPI seize poached paua at Tauroa Point

The 350-odd paua that were seized and returned to the water at Tauroa Point on Tuesday. Photo / MPI

Two people are to be prosecuted after a fisheries officer and two honorary officers conducted a "quick patrol" at Tauroa (Reef) Point, Ahipara, on Tuesday.

It was a big tide, low at about 5pm, the fisheries officer said, and the area was very busy, with a lot of people diving.

This is a timely reminder for people to stick to their limit and measure their catch; we have measures available at the MPI office in Kaitaia.

Fisheries officer on paua harvesting prosecutions

The first two divers inspected had each taken more than 90 paua, and both would be prosecuted. Ten infringement offences were also noted, and four warnings were issued.

The majority of the paua measured were under the legal size, some 350 of them being returned to the sea.

"We did inspect a few divers who had 10 legal paua and their legal limit of crayfish," the officer added.

"This is a timely reminder for people to stick to their limit and measure their catch; we have measures available at the MPI office in Kaitaia."