The Department of Conservation has yet to decide if it will prosecute five individuals for fishing in marine reserves around Banks Peninsula.

The cases were reported this summer - with many people claiming ignorance of the rules.

Former Secretary of the Akaroa Harbour Marine Protection Society Kathleen Reid has mixed feelings.

"I feel pleased that DOC have actually caught people [and] are actually doing the monitoring because they're strapped for resources, so it's great to hear that people are being apprehended.

"But [it's] disappointing too, that those people who should know better, don't know better."

Reid believes it's time to take a tough line with offenders - confiscating their gear or handing out hefty fines.