The Ministry of Fisheries in Gisborne says there's been a real contrast in people's behaviour over the holiday period, when it comes to complying with fishing regulations.
Field operations manager Tom Teneti says staff are usually kept very busy during summer apprehending divers for taking undersized kaimoana.
He says adverse weather before the end of December meant there was very little fishing, and almost no issuing of infringement notices.
But that all changed after the weather and sea conditions improved.
Mr Teneti says fisheries officers last week issued almost $8000 worth of infringement notices to people who took undersized paua and crayfish.
With a couple of low tides expected this week, he says fisheries officers will be keeping a close watch on beaches from Gisborne to Te Araroa near East Cape, in an effort to catch offenders.
