Fisheries officers issued 62 warnings to Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa fishermen and shellfish gatherers during the Christmas holiday period.
According to figures released by the Ministry of Primary Industries, a total of 62 warnings and 8 infringement notices were issued in the regions from December 20 to January 11, and one prosecution was likely.
Most offences involved paua or crayfish. MPI compliance director Dean Baigent said while the ministry was "generally happy" with the level of compliance over the three week period, some paua gatherers "in pockets of the East Coast" were not respecting daily limits and minimum sizes.
To report suspected illegal activity phone: 0800 47 62 24.