Weekend haul of blue cod lands anglers in legal strife

Two recreational fishermen could become the first to be prosecuted for illegally fishing for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds, since a ban came into effect last month.

Ministry of Fisheries Nelson district compliance manager Geoff Clark said two Blenheim men were caught with a haul of the protected fish at Queen Charlotte Sound during Marlborough Anniversary weekend at the start of this month.

The blue cod fishery in the Marlborough Sounds was closed in October by Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton, making it illegal for recreational fishers to take blue cod caught within the enclosed area.

Mr Clark said inquiries into the alleged offending were continuing, and if enough evidence was found, the men would either receive infringement fines of $500 or would face charges.

"It really depends on the circumstances," he said.

The men were caught during a routine ministry patrol.

Mr Clark said a couple of other fishers had been caught catching blue cod, but were let off because they did not know the rules.

The ban stops recreational fishers from taking blue cod within Pelorus, Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds and Tory Channel, but fishing around D'Urville Island and Okiwi Bay remains unaffected.

In July, Mr Anderton said strong measures were needed to care for the blue cod fishery in the Sounds because the stock was in serious trouble.

There had been an average decline across Marlborough of 57 per cent of juvenile blue cod from 2004, with the inner Queen Charlotte Sound reporting no blue cod at all.

The four-year closure would allow time for stock to recover while the community made choices about the long-term management of blue cod in the Sounds, he said.

The closure is the largest of its type in New Zealand, but not the first, with some smaller bans in place in Fiordland.

Fishing for other species within the Sounds is still allowed, but blue cod caught unintentionally must be returned to the water immediately.