A man has been sentenced for secretly catching nearly 900 thousand dollars worth of shellfish

Kevin Huia Clarke earlier pleaded guilty to not reporting nearly 11 tonnes of paua and rock lobster harvested while working in the Chatham Islands.

The director of the seafood company he worked for was allegedly also involved in discussions over how much was reported.

Clarke was sentenced in Wellington District Court to nine months home detention and 200 hours of community service.

The director will go to trial, and Clarke has agreed to give evidence.