Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley announced in March a 45% crayfish quota increase from April 1.
Otago's crayfish catch season begins on Sunday and runs until November.
CRA 7 (Otago) management committee spokesman Roger Bartlett said the quota increase was the result of careful management of the fishery over the years, including the practice of returning smaller, but still legal crayfish.
He hoped fishermen would continue that practice, even with the higher quota, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
"There is a huge financial incentive, as the smaller ones get half the price of the larger ones."
There would no major impact for fishermen if they had quota left at the end of the season, especially as the price they could get for smaller fish was less than the cost to catch it, he said.
He expected the average price for the fleet would be similar to last year's $40 a kilo but it was not yet known what impact the higher quota would have on the price.
Adverse weather had prevented assessment of the beds in recent days, but the fishermen hoped for a good start to the season, he said.
"We'll wait and see. There is no evidence it will not be onwards and upwards."
