Three years this week since the Kaikoura quakes and there's still a lasting impact on our environment

The paua accumulation limit has been halved from ten to five as their sustainability is threatened.

The new restrictions apply to Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson - and come into effect December 12.

MPI's Director of Fisheries Management Stuart Anderson says it's to allow the species to recover after it was thrown into turmoil, when the earthquakes tore up the coastline.