Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Northland
Fishery Officers in Northland will be busy inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational fishing rules this long weekend.
MPI Regional Manager Fishery Compliance, Phil Tasker, will be among the officers on the beach.
“We would like to remind people the daily limit in the upper North Island is 6 crayfish per fisher per day of all crayfish species combined. The minimum tail width for a male spiny rock lobster (crayfish) is 54mm or 60mm for a female, and a packhorse rock lobster must have a tail at least 216mm long.
“Fishers can take 20 scallops per person, they have to be 100mm across the widest part of the shell. When fishers are diving for scallops they are allowed to take an additional portion of 20 scallops for the person undertaking the safety role on the boat. Fishers can take 7 snapper per person at 30cm.
Information on size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
“There’s not an endless supply of fish in the sea. We all need to do our bit to protect the sustainability of our fisheries for current and future generations and for the health of the fishery in general.”
Penalties for breaching crayfish regulations range from a $250 fine for one undersize rock lobster to prosecution and gear forfeiture for taking more than three times the limit.
MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.
Auckland
The Ministry for Primary Industries’ Fishery Officers will be busy inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational fishing rules this long weekend.
For many, the beginning of Labour weekend marks the beginning of the fishing season.
MPI Regional Manager Fisheries Compliance, Andre Espinoza, says it’s a great time to enjoy some fishing, but people need to do their homework before heading out.
“As a reminder the maximum take per person for snapper is seven for Auckland’s east coast with a minimum length of 30cm. Auckland’s west coast has a bag limit of 10 with a minimum length of 27cm in length.
“It’s important that if you are gathering selfish in wider Auckland area please make sure you know the rules. Make sure you are gathering shellfish in a beach that is open to take.
“Detailed information on size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
“There’s not an endless supply of fish in the sea. We all need to do our bit to protect the sustainability of our fisheries for current and future generations and for the health of the fishery in general.”
Last weekend alone MPI’s Fishery Officers conducted more than 380 inspections of recreational catch. While most fishers played by the rules, more than 20 offences were detected, the majority of these relating to undersize or excess snapper and scallops.
MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.
Coromandel
Fishery Officers in the Coromandel will be busy inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational fishing rules this long weekend.
For many the beginning of Labour weekend marks the beginning of the fishing season.
MPI Senior Fishery Officer Hayden Coburn says the inspections will target low tide gatherers, boat ramps and those at sea.
“Our Officers will also be patrolling the coast. We will be reminding people that the east Coromandel scallop fishery is closed. The closure covers scallop fishing in an area extending along the east Coromandel coastline from Anarake Point to Ruahiwihiwi Point, where Ngāti Hei exercise mana moana, and includes Opito Bay. It applies to both recreational and commercial fishing.”
Information on size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
“It’s a great time for us to be out there talking to fishers. As a reminder to recreational boaties who are taking crayfish, please remember to telson clip.
“There’s not an endless supply of fish in the sea. We all need to do our bit to protect the sustainability of our fisheries for current and future generations and for the health of the fishery in general.”
MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.
Christchurch
MPI Fishery Officers will be busy inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational fishing rules around the Christchurch region this long weekend.
For many the beginning of Labour weekend marks the beginning of the fishing season.
MPI Regional Manager Upper South Island Fisheries Compliance, Howard Reid, says the inspections will target those on land and sea.
“It’s a great time for us to be out there talking to fishers. We would like to remind fishers the maximum number of rock lobster is 6 per fisher. Female tails must measure 60mm, and male width of tail 54mm.
“For blue cod, or rawaru, the daily for the Canterbury area is two per fisher, with a minimum size 33cm.
“Remember you can only take five pāua a day and 125cm is minimum size. The Kaikoura area is still closed for the time being.
Information on size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
“There’s not an endless supply of fish in the sea. We all need to do our bit to protect the sustainability of our fisheries for current and future generations and for the health of the fishery in general.”
MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.
Marlborough Sounds
MPI Fishery Officers will be busy inspecting catches and reminding people about the recreational fishing rules this long weekend.
For many the beginning of Labour weekend marks the beginning of the fishing season.
MPI District Team Leader Fisheries Compliance, Anthony Little, says the inspections will be conducted on land and at sea.
“We would like to remind fishers the Marlborough Sounds Area is closed (1 Sept-20 Dec) for the taking of Blue cod (rawaru).
“During the closed season, you may catch blue cod from outside the Marlborough Sounds Area and transport the cod into the Marlborough Sounds as long as you can prove that the fish were caught outside the Marlborough Sounds Area.
“The scallop season is closed in all of the Marlborough Sounds area and there are restricted closures throughout for anyone thinking of setting a net, so please check the rules first.
“The daily limit for pāua is 5 per fisher with a minimum size of 125cm.
“The shellfish closure remains in place from Marfell’s Beach to the Conway River south of Kaikoura.
“Information on the size and daily catch limits is available on signs at many beaches and boat ramps, on the MPI website and via the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app.
“There’s not an endless supply of fish in the ocean. We all need to do our bit to protect the sustainability of our fisheries so that future generations can enjoy fishing as we do today”.
MPI encourages people to report any suspicious fishing activity to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224). All calls are confidential.
