Changes in regulations 'good news'

October 2009

Amateur Paua Fishery Area

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New fishing rules that come into effect on October 1 bring good news for recreational fishers nationwide, says Minister of Fisheries Phil Heatley.

A better method for taking rock lobster and the opening up of the Taranaki paua fishery are among a number of upcoming changes to the recreational fishing experience.

“Whether you’re gathering lobster, paua or fishing for flatfish, changes to the regulations will improve the sustainability of our fisheries and ensure common-sense rules apply. Sustainability is always paramount and rules that are practical keep that goal on-track.

Hand-operated lassoes – lobster
Recreational fishers gathering rock lobster (crayfish) will be able to use hand-operated lassoes in all New Zealand waters.
Also known as cray-loops, this method is likely to be less damaging than some currently permitted methods, and will also improve recreational divers’ ability to safely catch rock lobster. Spring-loaded lassoes will be banned however.
Current research suggests hand-operated lassoes cause fewer injuries to both soft- and hard-shell lobsters than hand gathering, which is an already permitted method.
The New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council provided survey results on the impact of rock lobster hand-operated lassoes and, along with the National Rock Lobster Management Group, supported the change to regulations to allow the method to be introduced.

Taranaki paua
A new minimum-legal standard for the Taranaki region will mean recreational divers can now gather paua.
The region’s stocks are naturally small so never reach the minimum legal standard of 125mm for paua across the remainder of the country.
The new size will be on a trial basis for the next five years, and will mean recreational fishers can gather paua at the new minimum legal size of 85mm in shell length from between Awakino and Whanganui Rivers. This includes most paua beds within the Taranaki region.
A trial period is necessary, as the measures have never been applied before in New Zealand’s paua fisheries.
A daily bag limit of 10 paua, per fisher, per day, will apply.
At this stage, the fishery will not be opened to commercial fishers; however, the option will be explored as part of an ongoing review of the compliance risks associated with paua fishing.

Rules standardised
Recreational fishers in the Challenger area will soon benefit from more standardised rules.
From October 1, the minimum legal size of sand flounder will become 25cm instead of 23cm – standardising it with the other seven species of flatfish in the area.
Alongside this, the amateur set-net minimum mesh size for red moki will go from 115mm to 114mm to standardise this with the set-net rule for blue moki.
The amateur set-net minimum mesh size for butterfish will go from 108mm to 100mm – to standardise this with the majority of other finfish species.
Central Inshore Fisheries Manager for the Ministry of Fisheries, Dan Lees, says the rule changes translate to good old common sense.
“It makes life simpler for fishers, and makes it easier to just apply the rules and do what they enjoy doing best – fishing.”
“By having one standard size for all flatfish, it’ll be a lot more obvious if the fish is undersized and should be put back into the sea.
“Taking away the 1mm mesh size in terms of the difference between blue and red moki also allows for more fishing opportunities to those wanting to fish in the area.
“Given the constraint of only one net per vessel at any one time, fishers will have a smaller range to choose from and can catch two types of fish with the net instead of one.”
Dan says the reduction in net size for butterfish will also help simplify the current amateur fishing rules.
The Challenger Fishery Management Area runs from Awarua on the West Coast north around the top of the South Island to Clarence on the South Island’s east coast.

Fiordland rock lobster
Recreational fishers gathering rock lobster in the Fiordland Marine Area will have greater flexibility to store their live catch with new rules for holding pots.
New rules come into affect on October 1, 2009, allowing recreational fishers within the Fiordland Marine Area to use one rock lobster holding pot per person, or a maximum of two holding pots per vessel where there are two or more persons. The rule changes were initiated by the Fiordland Marine Guardians.
The new rules expressly provide for separate holding pots in the Fiordland area, meaning holding pots will no longer be counted against rock lobster catching pot limits and will not be required to have escape gaps. New marking requirements for holding pots will apply, however.
Ministry of Fisheries Inshore Manager, Leigh Mitchell, says recreational fishers on extended fishing trips over several days will now have greater ability to keep their rock lobster catch fresh until they return home.
The Fiordland Marine Area is one of the few places nationwide where holding pots are commonly and regularly used by recreational fishers. Due to the area’s remoteness and access constraints, holding pots are a practical solution to the absence of freezer storage.
However, Ms Mitchell cautions fishers to fish with sustainability in mind and be aware that the current recreational daily and accumulation limits still apply.
Within the Fiordland Marine Area each recreational fisher is able to take a daily limit of six rock lobsters (with a maximum of three taken from the inner fiords). An accumulation limit of 15 rock lobsters taken over three or more days is allowable, provided catch labelling requirements are met.

Akaroa Taiapure
New rules will come into effect on October 1 for recreational fishers who fish within the Akaroa Taiapure (near Banks Peninsula).
The rules include daily limits on finfish, the prohibition of taking or possessing any seahorse from the taiapure, or the taking or possessing of shellfish from the Onawe Peninsula area of the Akaroa Taiapure.
Minister of Fisheries District Compliance Manager, Peter Hyde, says the new rules are an example of local people taking action to manage important local resources.
Chairman of the committee, George Tikao, says the vision of the taiapure is to develop a world-class, community-based fisheries management model.
“By acting now, we are improving sustainability of our fishery and creating more opportunity for generations to fish in the future,” he said.
The tables that follow show the specific details of the daily bag limits within Akaroa Taiapure.
Full details of other regulation details will be available on the Ministry of Fisheries’ website from the start of October.

- © Fairfax NZ News