A Napier couple has been sentenced to home detention and community work for selling more than $6000 worth of paua on the black market.

Warren Hutchings, 45, received seven months home detention and 150 hours community work after pleading guilty to 17 charges of illegally selling fish.

His partner, 40 year old Katie Baker, has also been sentenced to three months home detention and 75 hours community work for helping his black market operation.

The pair was caught during a major crack down by the Ministry for Primary Industries on illegal fishing activity in Hawke's Bay and Mahia - dubbed Operation River.

They sold more than $500 worth of paua for over $6000.

Six other people have been sentenced and fined as part of the operation.