The court outcome should serve as a reminder to illegal fishers that crime doesn't pay and instead people caught doing the wrong thing may have to pay significant fines, said Dr Andrew Moriarty, acting director Fisheries Compliance at NSW Department of Primary Industries.

A man from Sydney faced Port Kembla Local Court where he pleaded guilty to charges of possessing prohibited size fish, and possess more than the possession limit after he was apprehended by NSWDPI Fisheries officers at Maloneys Bay at Bass Point, near Shell Cove.

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"Fisheries officers observed the man diving in June last year, and observed him for some time where they then saw him pass a bag of Abalone to another person waiting on the rock platform," Dr Moriarty said.

"The man and the other person were intercepted, where the bag was found to contain 20 Abalone, all of which were below the minimum size of 11.7cm.

"Recreational fishers diving for Abalone must adhere to a daily bag and possession limit of two.

"Abalone is a priority species and an important resource to NSW, and the courts take offences involving Abalone very seriously."

The man appeared in Wollongong Local Court for sentencing and was fined $3000 for each offence.

He was also ordered to pay $1750 in professional costs.

"Illegal fishing does not pay - those who continue to do the crime will continue to be brought before the courts to pay for their crimes," Dr Moriarty said.

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