Whitebaiters in Southland who are flouting the rules are facing prosecution in increasing numbers.
Seven whitebaiters are to face the courts, mainly for fishing with nets that are too long, while another six cases are waiting to be processed.
In 2011, the department prosecuted five people for the whole season, which runs until the end of November.
Southland compliance manager Alan Christie says DoC wants all the community to have the opportunity to catch a decent feed, but greed plays a part in this.
In two cases, he said nets had been cast across the entire channel of a river.
Mr Christie said courts are now imposing harsher fines and equipment is being confiscated.
