A suspected illegal fishing operation has been disturbed, thanks in part to the watchfulness of local Hawke's Bay residents.
Last week police and fisheries officers discovered sacks of undersized and shucked paua in a cave on the Central Hawke's Bay coast.
They uncovered sacks containing 39 undersized paua, and 160 shucked paua, also believed to be undersized.
Porangahau police Senior Constable John Singer said the kaimoana was found on Blackhead Beach during checks on vehicles, following reports from local residents of suspicious vehicles and activities.
A vehicle had been stopped leaving the beach following reports that three people were seen carrying sacks believed to be full of seafood. Two people in the vehicle were spoken with and a third person was spoken with on Blackhead Beach.