Fishing vessels on the East Coast are complying with catch limits for crayfish.
The total allowable catch for crayfish was lowered last year because of reports that stocks were at critically low levels in some places. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A joint air and sea patrol took place over two days this week by the Defence Force and Ministry for Primary Industries.
They inspected about 30 vessels from Poverty Bay to East Cape.
The Ministry said most were complying with regulatory requirements - a marked improvment on previous years.
Last year Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash lowered the total allowable catch for crayfish because of reports that stocks were at critically low levels in some places.
Earlier in January, other NZDF and MPI patrols targeted both inshore and deep-water fisheries and covered the Chatham Rise, the east coast of the South Island, Taranaki and the Marlborough Sounds.
About 50 commercial fishing vessels were among 74 vessels inspected during the patrols.