The Ministry of Fisheries says 53 people have been prosecuted as a result of a four-year operation to stop paua poaching.
Operation Paua and Illegal Divers (Operation PAID) targetted areas of organised poaching, sale and distribution of paua.
Part of the operation was carried out undercover along coastlines around Wellington, Auckland, Opotiki and Hastings.
The ministry says most of those who were charged have now been sentenced; 28 have been jailed for terms ranging from seven months to three years and two months and 23 have been given home detention or ordered to carry out community service.
