Sea life in marine reserves is out of bounds to fishers.

An Auckland architect who designed a home for comedian, producer, and Listener columnist Jon Bridges has been convicted of catching snapper in the Goat Island Marine Reserve at Leigh in north Auckland.

In an unusual turn of events, a second man in the boat, believed to be Fenning's father has pleaded not guilty to charges, with the matter now before the courts.

Karl Fenning, aged 44 from west Auckland, pleaded guilty in the North Shore District Court to catching seven snapper in the reserve near Leigh.

Along with losing the fish, being fined and ordered to pay costs totalling $1500, Fenning had his fishing gear permanently seized.

Fenning was spotted fishing from a boat in the marine reserve, on September 6, by two honorary marine rangers.

After photographing him from shore they tracked his boat to the Omaha Beach boat ramp.

Fenning was spoken to and the snapper, caught in the reserve, was found in his boat.

Department of Conservation (DOC) Senior biodiversity ranger Thelma Wilson welcomes the penalty imposed on Fenning.

"But it's disappointing he was fishing in the reserve. This is New Zealand's oldest marine reserve established 41 years ago. It's well known and is well sign posted," Wilson says.

The Cape Rodney-Okakari Point (Goat Island) Marine Reserve is marked on nautical charts and GPS devices used for navigation on boats.

There are large boundary markers at both ends of the reserve, signs along roads in the area and at each boat ramp in the area, including the Omaha Beach boat ramp.

"Anyone who goes fishing needs to know the location of marine reserves," says Thelma Wilson.