Fifteen recreational fishers have been caught breaching fishing rules in Auckland following a weekend enforcement operation targeting the city's east and west coasts.
According to a report by 1News, North Harbour Fishery Officers and Auckland Police Maritime Officers carried out 514 inspections ahead of the summer fishing season, with nine people found in possession of undersized snapper on the east coast.
Fisheries New Zealand's North Harbour district manager, Glen Blackwell, said most fishers were complying with regulations, but authorities would act when breaches were identified.
"The rules are there for a reason, to protect the sustainability of our shared fisheries. So, when we find evidence of rules not being followed, we take action", 1News has quoted.
Fishery officers also found one fisher with too many oysters and three others who had taken undersized scallops on the west coast.
Authorities are considering prosecution after discovering two illegal set nets joined together at Mill Bay in West Auckland. An unmarked set net found at Titirangi also resulted in a formal warning, as reported by 1News.
Two fishers caught taking undersized snapper received infringement notices, while the remaining offenders were issued formal warnings.
With more people expected to head out fishing over summer, authorities are encouraging recreational fishers to familiarise themselves with the regulations before heading to the water, 1News has reported.
Fishers are advised to download the NZ Fishing Rules app to check catch limits and size restrictions, and consult the Ministry for Primary Industries' guidance on set net laws.