A Northland fisherman must pay more than 50-thousand-dollars for fishing breaches

54-year-old Hamish Apatu was sentenced in Kaitaia District Court yesterday, after his company didn't declare more than two-point-five-tonnes of fish.

Fisheries regional compliance manager, Phil Tasker, says the rules are there for a reason.

He says Apatu was taking more than his share

His fines include 12-thousand dollars for his boat, more than 21-thousand for the unreported fish, and a fine topping 26-thousand dollars.