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Fisheries information and guidelines

Recreational fishing rules for the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area

It is critical that all fishers know and understand the rules that apply within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area. By taking responsibility for your actions and complying with the law you can help conserve our valuable fisheries for future generations to use and enjoy.

The following notes are provided as a summary guide of applicable law, which is subject to change. Relevant legislation includes the Fisheries Act 1996, Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005, Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 1986, Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Regulations 1991, Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations 2005 and Amendment No 2, and the Fisheries (Infringement Offences) Amendment Regulations 2005.

The information contained in this guide is correct at the time of printing and is subject to change without notice. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the most up-to-date rules during your time in Fiordland. Please be aware, the information provided here includes information specific to the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area. If you are fishing in any other part of New Zealand, please contact your nearest Ministry of Fisheries office to ensure that you find out the rules that apply.

Know and observe the limits

The restrictions on recreational fishers are relatively simple. The main points to remember are:

• do not take more than the daily limit
• do not take undersize fish
• do not sell or trade your catch – this is illegal
• spread your fishing effort to avoid depletion
• do not abuse your recreational entitlement.*

* Note: Only those persons physically involved in taking finfish, rock lobster or shellfish are entitled to claim a catch within the daily limit.

All fish taken and consumed during any trip must be counted within the daily limit.

Fishers should also be aware of the closed seasons, closed areas and prohibitions on the use of some types of fishing gear and fishing methods that apply within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area and the wider Southland Fishery Management Area.

The following section of this guide covers:

• the precise boundaries of the Fiordland Marine Area, and its ‘internal waters’
• closed and restricted areas within the Fiordland Marine Area
• specific recreational fishing catch limits that apply to the internal waters
• specific recreational fishing catch limits that apply to the fiord entrances and outer coast
• specific recreational fishing catch limits that apply to the entire Fiordland Marine Area
• specific restrictions on bulk harvest methods and gear
• finfish limits, with guidelines on handling fish, and on fishing for blue cod
• shellfish limits, with guidelines for gathering paua
• rock lobster (crayfish) limits
• how you can help maintain sustainable fisheries management.

Defining the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area, and its ‘internal waters’

The Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area lies inside the Southland Fishery Management Area. It encompasses the coastal marine area from Awarua Point on the West Coast of the South Island to its south-eastern boundary at Sandhill Point² extending 12 nautical miles out to sea.

Internal waters of Fiordland are defined by specific habitat lines and depict the ‘inner fiord’ areas. These are described in the Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations 2005 schedule, and are identified on the maps in this guide’s Fiord-by-fiord section, providing boundary coordinates. All commercial fishing is prohibited within the internal waters of Fiordland – creating a 46,000 ha noncommercial fishing area. Special restrictions apply to the internal waters, where the inner fiord habitat has steep rock walls dominated by marine animals (such as corals and sponges) rather than seaweeds, and where fish numbers are lower. Beyond the internal waters, fish life is more abundant in the seaweed-dominated outer fiord and nutrient-rich coastal area.

Closed and restricted areas

Marine reserves

In the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area there are 10 marine reserves.

Within the marine reserves, all marine life is totally protected. All fishing, both noncommercial and commercial is totally prohibited. See ‘Protected areas’ section for more information on marine reserves within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area. Details of each marine reserve are provided in the Fiord-by-fiord section of this guide.

Blue cod closed areas

Milford Sound/Piopiotahi and Doubtful Sound/Patea internal waters are temporarily closed for taking blue cod. See ‘Fiord-by-fiord’ section for maps (Milford Sound/Piopiotahi; Doubtful Sound/Patea). See also ‘Blue cod area closures and research project’.

Specific recreational fishing catch limits apply

Internal waters of Fiordland:

• blue cod daily species limit of three with no accumulation* (see ‘Blue cod fishing guidelines’ section)
• groper (hapuku)/bass daily species limit of three with no accumulation*
• rock lobster daily species limit of three with no accumulation.*

Fiord entrances and outer coast:

• blue cod daily species limit of 20 with no accumulation* (includes the three blue cod limit from within the internal fiord waters) (see ‘Blue cod fishing guidelines’ section)
• groper daily species limit of five with no accumulation* (includes the three groper limit from within the internal fiord waters)
• rock lobster daily species limit of six, with a three-day accumulation limit of 15 (special provisions apply)
• any accumulated rock lobsters must be held in labelled containers (see ‘Rock lobster (crayfish) limits’ section).

Entire Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area:

• total combined finfish bag limit of 30 with no accumulation* (see ‘Finfish limits’ section)
• groper (hapuku)/bass species are included inside the combined finfish bag limit*
• Jock Stewart (sea perch) daily species limit of 10 with no accumulation are included inside the combined finfish bag limit*
• scallop and paua daily species limit of 10 with no accumulation* (see ‘Shellfish limits’ section).

*Note: Accumulation refers to aggregating and possessing daily fish catch in excess of more than one day’s legal entitlement, which is now unlawful for finfish, paua and scallops.

In the case of rock lobster, there is a three-day accumulation limit of 15 rock lobsters with special provisions applying (see ‘Rock lobster (crayfish) limits’ section).

Bulk harvest method restrictions

In the internal waters of Fiordland

Blue cod pot use is prohibited inside the internal waters of Fiordland (see ‘Blue cod fishing guidelines’).

Within the entire Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area:

• long-lines including any set line, dropline or dahn line, limited to one per person, or two per vessel
• long-lines including any set line, dropline or dahn line, limited to a maximum of five hooks per line
• rock lobster pots limited to three per person and no more than three per vessel (see ‘Rock lobster (crayfish) limits’ section)
• dredges and set nets are prohibited within the entire Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Finfish limits

Maximum daily limits

In the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area there is a combined daily bag limit of 30 finfish, consisting of any combination of the species listed on the following panel, as long as the individual species limits are not exceeded.

Finfish length measurement
Finfish species	Minimum fish length
Blue cod	33 cm
Blue moki	40 cm
Butterfish/greenbone	35 cm
Flatfish (except sand flounder)	25 cm
Kingfish	75 cm
Red cod	25 cm
Red gurnard	25 cm
Red moki	40 cm
Sand flounder	25 cm
Snapper	25 cm
Tarakihi	25 cm
Trevally	25 cm
Trumpeter	35 cm
Finfish length is measured from the tip of the nose to the rear end of the middle ray of the tail fin as shown in the diagram below.

Maximum daily limits
Finfish species	Maximum daily limit per person fishing
Barracouta	30
Blue cod	20
Blue moki	15
Bluenose	30
Blue shark	1
Bronze shark	1
Butterfish/greenbone	15
Eels	6
Elephant fish	5
Flatfish	30
Grey mullet	30
Groper/hapuku/bass	5
Hammerhead shark	1
Kahawai	15
Lamprey	30
Ling	30
Mako shark	1
Marblefish	30
Marlin	1
Porbeagle shark	1
Quinnat salmon	2
Red cod	10
Red gurnard	30
Red moki	15
Rig	5
School shark	5
Sea perch/Jock Stewart	10
Seven-gilled shark	1
Skate ray	5
Snapper	30
Spiky dogfish	15
Stargazer	30
Tarakihi	15
Thresher shark	1
Trevally	30
Trumpeter	15
Wrasse	30

Accumulation of finfish beyond the daily limit is prohibited

Therefore, possession at any time of fish taken from within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area in excess of the prescribed species limit and combined bag limit is unlawful. Except for kingfish (individual species limit of three) there is no limit on finfish species not listed above.

Internal waters of Fiordland – conservative limits apply

Within the internal waters of Fiordland the following conservative daily limits apply:

• blue cod daily limit of three with no accumulation (see ‘Blue cod fishing guidelines’ section)
• groper (hapuku)/bass daily limit of three with no accumulation.

White pointer shark prohibition

The white pointer shark is a fully protected species. No person may take or possess any white pointer shark.

Method and gear restrictions – line fishing

Within the entire Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area the following restrictions apply to all line fishing including any long-line, set line, dropline and dahn line:

• all surface floats attached to any line must be clearly and legibly marked with the fisher’s surname and initials
• no person may use or possess a line with more than five hooks
• no person may use or be in possession of more than one line (other than rod and reel lines or handlines)
• where more than one person is using a line from a vessel (other than rod and reel lines or handlines), no more than two lines (other than rod and reel lines or handlines) may be used or set from, or possessed on board that vessel.

Set nets prohibited

No person may use, set or possess any set net within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Blue cod hook size

When fishing for blue cod, the Guardians recommend the use of size 6/0 or larger, wide gap or circle fish hooks to avoid damaging and therefore improve survival of undersize blue cod.

Blue cod pots prohibited

No person may use or set any blue cod pot within the internal waters of Fiordland.

Alive and unharmed

Unlawfully taken fish (such as fish taken in excess of daily limit, undersize, unlawful state or fish taken with prohibited gear or method) must be immediately returned to the water, taking all care to ensure the fish is unharmed and returned in the same location where taken. Dead fish that are unlawful must also be returned to the water.

Unlawful to possess fish with prohibited fishing gear

No person shall possess any fish together with any set net or line that is not permitted to be set or used, whether or not the fishing gear is being used in fishing.

General guidelines for handling fish

Remember to do these things:

• remove fish from the water only if you have to
• wear cotton or rubber gloves or at least wet your hands
• lie fish on a soft wet surface if you need to handle them out of water
• change to a larger hook size if you are catching a lot of undersized fish
• minimise the time fish are out of the water
• remove the hook carefully from a lip-hooked fish
• cut the line for a gut-hooked fish
• return fish gently to the sea.

Do not do these things:

• do not hold fish by inserting your fingers inside the gill covers
• do not poke or touch the eyes, and never hold fish by the eye sockets
• do not use a ‘gob’ stick³ on fish you will release
• do not squeeze the gill covers or gut area hard
• do not lift fish by the tail as this can dislocate the spine
• do not drop or place fish on a hot, dry deck or on rocks.

Blue cod fishing guidelines

Make sure you know the fisheries regulations:

• blue cod fishing is presently prohibited in Milford Sound/Piopiotahi and Doubtful Sound/Patea internal waters
• no fishing is permitted in any of the marine reserves (see ‘Closed and restricted areas’)
• the minimum blue cod size length is 33 cm
• the amateur daily species limit is three blue cod per person fishing per day in the internal waters and 20 in the outer coast and fiord entrances (which includes the limit of three from the internal waters)
• no accumulation is permitted
• using undersized fish for bait is illegal – they should be returned to the water dead or alive
• it is unlawful to return previously caught dead fish to the sea if bigger fish are caught.

This list should be read in conjunction with the preceding ‘Finfish limits’ section.

Why do we need specific blue cod guidelines?

Blue cod is one of the most sought-after recreational fish species in the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Because of this, in some more accessible fiords, blue cod stocks are under more stress. The problem is made worse because many of the undersized fish caught while trying to catch ‘the big one’ die, even when they are returned to the water.

We all need to protect the small fish because they are the future breeding stock. If we reduce the number of breeding fish, there will be fewer fish to replace those that are caught, and this would mean a decline in the stocks of blue cod.

Here are a few facts and handy hints on how you can enjoy fishing for blue cod today and still help ensure there is more left for tomorrow and many future tomorrows!

Blue cod facts:

• blue cod (Parapercis colias), or rawaru in Maori, are only found in New Zealand, where they are more common the further south you go
• adult fish are territorial and rarely move long distances, but may have overlapping home ranges
• large males have territories that encompass three to five females. Adult females and juveniles appear to get along together
• while blue cod may aggregate together when feeding, they do not school
• they are opportunist predators with large eyes for spotting prey. They eat a wide range of small fish and marine animals, including crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans as well as small shellfish
• they can live for 18 to 20 years; they grow up to 60 cm in length and weigh up to 4 kg
• southern blue cod mature later and at a much larger size than fish in northern areas. In Southland they mature at 26 to 28 cm, aged four to six years
• in Southland male blue cod take seven years and females around nine years to reach the minimum legal size length of 33 cm
• in Fiordland and Southland blue cod spawn in October through to January. Both the eggs and the larvae drift in sea currents for about five days before settling
• blue cod are brown as juveniles. Around 20 cm in length they turn a mottled grey and later on a green colour. Older males and females are coloured blue, which gives them their name
• blue cod can change sex from female to male, which is useful when a dominant male is removed. Not all males start out as females, with a proportion born male at birth.

Understanding fiord habitat and blue cod abundance

The unique fiord environment makes blue cod vulnerable to local depletion if fishing is unchecked. This is because fishery habitats within the steep-walled, animal-dominated inner fiords are relatively small and less productive, compared to the seaweed-rich outer coast.

In Milford/Piopiotahi and Doubtful/Patea Sounds, being the most accessible fiords, local depletion has been an issue for some time, causing fishers to shift to other fiords. In some northern fiords, which have steep walls and narrow entrances, there are low numbers of blue cod and fishing is naturally poor.

Not surprisingly, fish are more plentiful in the wide-mouthed southern fiords of Dusky Sound, Chalky and Preservation Inlets, while outside these fiord entrances there is good blue cod fishing.

A key concern by the late 1990s was increasing recreational catch levels by larger groups of fishers on board charter boats and large syndicate vessels, who often preferred fishing inside the fiords away from the ocean swells.

Blue cod abundance was a key consideration in developing the Guardians’ marine conservation strategy. A scientific survey commissioned by the Guardians to study blue cod numbers was carried out in Dusky Sound. Fish numbers were found to be high in the outer coast and shallow entrance areas but not so high in the middle, inner reaches and at the head of the fiord.

A movement study conducted at the same time showed an almost complete lack of blue cod movement between study areas from the outside coast to the head of the fiord. This backed up the findings of studies in other fiords, showing that main indicator species of blue cod and kina that live inside the fiords are slower growing and less abundant than those found at the entrance to the fiords. It also appears that blue cod from the inner fiords may be genetically distinct from blue cod living outside, with little or no mixing or inter-breeding between fiords.

Within the inner fiord habitats, blue cod are unlikely to be very productive and therefore unable to sustain high levels of fishing pressure. The reduced daily limit of three blue cod per person with no accumulation, if taken within the designated internal waters of each fiord, is designed to allow fishers to catch a feed for tea, while encouraging fishers to spread fishing effort towards the entrance and outer coast.

How to fish for blue cod

Blue cod is a bottom-dwelling, inshore species that is most commonly found near foul (rocky) ground to a depth of 150 m. Adult blue cod usually avoid kelp forests, preferring to live near seaweed on open ground at the reef edge. They are therefore best caught on the edge of the sand and seaweed foul bottom.

Lines:

• use only enough line to reach the bottom – this keeps tension on the line so you’ll know when you’ve caught a fish
• use only one hook per line
• once you’ve ‘hooked’ a fish, check and retrieve the line immediately.

Hooks

Hook type is important. Blue cod ‘bite’ the hook when taking the bait and then ‘twist’. If hooks are swallowed, they are likely to damage the throat or gills, which almost certainly results in death.

To improve survival of undersized fish, blue cod should be hooked around the lips. To do this, use large hooks (size 6 and larger). This is most important as large hooks catch fewer undersized fish, are not easily swallowed, and still catch the same number of legal-size blue cod. To further reduce hook damage to undersized fish, use barbless hooks.

Recommended hooks are:

• wide gap hooks or circle hooks, eg, Kahle hooks
• flasher rigs or jigs (one hook only).

Blue cod area closures and research project

Both Milford/Piopiotahi and Doubtful/Patea Sounds have been temporarily closed to amateur blue cod fishing since 2005. At the recommendation of the Guardians, and after public consultation, the Minister of Fisheries extended the amateur closures for a further two years, from 30 June 2007 to 29 June 2009 to give more time to assess blue cod stock abundance and any recovery.

Researchers contracted by the Ministry of Fisheries have been surveying and monitoring blue cod stocks in Milford/Piopiotahi and Doubtful/Patea Sounds since the summer of 2005/06, to see how they respond to the amateur blue cod fishing closures. The research uses experimental fishing to record blue cod catch and fishing efforts during the closure period, and to tag blue cod caught to study movement both into, and within, the fiords. The researchers also monitor blue cod stocks within the marine reserves to examine the effect that a marine reserve closure has on the abundance of the blue cod stocks in comparison to areas that are open to fishing. This ongoing work is part of the scientific marine monitoring programme for the area.

Protection of coral

It is prohibited for any person to take or possess any black coral or any red coral.

Shellfish limits

Underwater breathing apparatus (does not include snorkels)

No person may take any paua using underwater breathing apparatus (UBA).

No person may be in possession of paua while in possession of UBA. This includes possession, in, or on, any vessel or vehicle.

Dredges prohibited

No person may use or possess any dredge within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area (see ‘Bulk harvest method restrictions’ section).

Open seasons

Dredge oysters – within the Southland Fishery Management Area the open season is 1 March to 31 August inclusive.

Scallops – within the Southland Fishery Management Area the open season is 1 October to 15 March inclusive.

Shellfish to be landed in a measurable state

All shellfish to which a minimum size restriction applies (including paua, scallops and dredge oysters) must be landed in the shell and cannot be shucked or shelled seaward of the mean high water mark. Within prescribed limits, opening of dredge oysters and scallops for consumption on board a vessel is permitted.

How to measure shellfish

Paua – measure the greatest length of the shell in a straight line, parallel to the ventral surface. (Do not measure over the curve of the shell.)

Scallops – measure the greatest diameter of the shell.

Dredge oysters – must not pass through a rigid circular metal ring with an inside diameter of 58 mm.

Shellfish species	Maximum daily limit per person fishing	Minimum size
Cockle	150	None
Kina (sea egg)	50	None
Mussel	25	None
Oysters – dredge†	50	58 mm
Paua – Ordinary blackfoot *	10	125 mm
Paua – Yellowfoot *	10	80 mm
Pipi	150	None
Scallop † *	10	100 mm
Tuatua	150	None
All others (combined)	50	None

† Limited provision now exists allowing a diver (or divers) when diving from a vessel to collect up to two extra daily bag limits of oysters or scallops per vessel, providing that two persons are acting in a dive safety capacity at that time.

* No accumulation of paua or scallop daily limits taken with the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

Note: No Rock or Pacific oysters are known to exist in the Southland Fishery Management Area (including the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area). All oysters taken within the Southland Fishery Management Area are subject to season, daily limit and size restrictions.

Guidelines for gathering paua

Paua less than the minimum legal size are next year’s harvest. Often these paua are removed and damaged by paua collectors, only to be returned to the sea to die. There are a number of ways to ensure that undersized paua are not removed from reef surfaces, and ways to care for the young paua if they are inadvertently removed.

You can help ensure your future paua harvest by following a few simple rules:

• use instruments with an underwater measuring device/mark. If you measure your paua underwater you will have less chance of taking and damaging undersized paua
• if possible, avoid removing undersized paua from the reef
• when collecting paua, use paua-friendly tools (that is, no sharp instruments). Any damage to undersized paua will significantly reduce their chances of survival. If unsuccessful in removing a paua on the first attempt, leave it, because if it has clamped onto a rock it is extremely unlikely it will be prised loose without suffering damage
• any undersized paua should be returned by a collector to the reef surface promptly and placed right way up. Do not throw them over the side of your boat. Unless paua are placed on the reef surface the right way up, they are likely to be eaten by starfish, reef fish and other predators before they have a chance to clamp onto the rock surface. It is unlikely that paua thrown back onto a sandy or gravelly substrate will survive
• you should measure your paua underwater. However, if you have taken paua out of the water to measure, do so immediately. Heat-damaged paua returned to the reef will be in a weakened state and are susceptible to predation
• if it is not possible for a diver to return the paua to their original location, then place them on boulders in shallow sea water. Be aware in the fiords of the freshwater layer when returning paua as they will not survive in freshwater
• take only the paua you need (within the confines of the daily bag limit). Leave some for another day
• do not clear out whole areas. If you take all of the paua in an area there will be no recruitment to replace local stocks
• keep paua in the shade and ensure they remain damp when on deck
• do not shuck paua (remove the shell) below high water mark
• remember, paua must be landed in a measurable state to enable fishery officers to measure your catch. Furthermore, shucking of paua leaves waste, which will attract predators to the area
• underwater breathing apparatus (UBA) is prohibited when collecting or in possession of paua (this includes having UBA in your vehicle or on your vessel). This is to prevent large areas of paua from being systematically cleared by divers and to leave stocks in deeper waters untouched. The removal of accumulated paua stocks could significantly reduce the productive potential of paua in the area.

Rock lobster (crayfish) limits

Maximum daily limit

No person may take or possess more than six rock lobsters (both spiny and packhorse rock lobster species combined) on any one day within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area.

No person may take or possess more than three rock lobsters on any one day that are taken from within the internal waters of Fiordland. No accumulation applies to rock lobsters taken within the internal waters.

Limits on accumulation

A limited defence provision exists to allow possession of accumulated rock lobsters taken over three or more days in excess of the daily possession limit if:

• not more than 15 rock lobsters are possessed
• the daily take limit of six rock lobsters was not exceeded on any day
• not more than three rock lobsters were taken from the internal waters of Fiordland
• the rock lobsters are held in labelled containers or bags that:
  • contain only rock lobsters taken on a single day
  • are clearly labelled to record:
    1. the individual fisher’s full name
    2. the date on which the rock lobster was taken by the fisher
    3. the number of rock lobsters held in the container or bag
    4. the number of rock lobsters (if any) taken from the internal waters of Fiordland.

Note: Accumulation refers to the aggregation and possession of daily rock lobster catch in excess of more than one day’s possession entitlement, which is now subject to a three-day accumulation limit of 15 rock lobsters.

Possession

Rock lobsters may not be possessed seaward of the mean high water mark in an immeasurable state.

Minimum sizes

No person may take or possess any:

• male spiny rock lobsters with a tail width less than 54 mm
• female spiny rock lobsters with a tail width less than 60 mm
• packhorse rock lobsters (either sex) with a tail length shorter than 216 mm.

How to measure spiny rock lobster

The tail width is measured in a straight line between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail (as shown in the diagram).

The sex is easily determined:

• females have small pincers on the rear pair of legs
• pleopods are in paired form on each side of the under surface of female tails, and are in single form in male tails.
  
  

  Measuring spiny rock lobster
  (koura). MFish
  

If you are unsure of the sex of a spiny rock lobster, use the 60 mm measurement and you will be safe.

Rock lobster measuring gauge

The regulations require that, in cases of dispute, a spiny rock lobster must be measured with an official, certified gauge. You may measure with an uncertified gauge or a ruler, but these can serve only as a guide. Certified gauges are available to be purchased from Ministry of Fisheries offices.

How to measure a packhorse rock lobster

The tail length of the packhorse rock lobster is measured along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail.

Protected rock lobster

The following types of rock lobster must be immediately returned to the water:

• undersized rock lobster
• any rock lobster carrying external eggs (these are carried between the pleopods on the underside of the tail)
• any rock lobster in the soft-shell stage (following moulting where the exoskeleton has not reached full hardness)
• any rock lobster that cannot be measured (eg, because of damage to the tail preventing accurate measurement).

It is an offence to remove external eggs or the egg-bearing appendages from any rock lobster.

Method restrictions

It is unlawful to:

• use a spear or device that could puncture the shell when taking rock lobsters, or possess any rock lobster that has been speared
• use or set a baited net for taking rock lobsters, or possess any rock lobster with a baited net (but this does not prohibit the use of a hand-pulled ring pot, bob or scoop net)
• use a spring loaded loop or lasso.

Rock lobster pot restrictions

Rock lobster pot means any pot, whether baited or not, which is capable of catching or holding rock lobster; and includes any device capable of catching, holding, or storing rock lobster. It is important to note the following restrictions apply to all rock lobster pots.

It is unlawful to:

• use or set a rock lobster pot unless the pot and the surface buoy or float, attached to the pot and float line are clearly, legibly and permanently marked with the fisher’s surname and initials (this includes possession on any vessel)
• set or possess a rock lobster pot unless it has escape gaps as detailed in the ‘Escape gaps for rock lobster pots’ section.

Rock lobster pot limits

No person may on any day within the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area:

• possess, use or set more than three rock lobster pots
• possess, use or set more than three rock lobster pots from any vessel.

Escape gaps for rock lobster pots

Round or beehive-shaped pots must have at least three escape gaps or apertures (other than the mouth). Each aperture must have an inside dimension of not less than 54 mm x 200 mm.

Square or rectangular-shaped pots must have at least two escape gaps or apertures (other than the mouth) in opposite faces of the pot. Each aperture shall not be less than 80 percent of the height or length of the face of the pot in which the apertures are contained. Each aperture shall have an inside dimension of not less than 54 mm x 200 mm.

Any rock lobster pot constructed entirely of unaltered spot-welded mesh with inside dimensions of 54 mm x 140 mm does not have to have escape gaps or apertures but the pots must be used without covers or liners or with covers or liners that leave unencumbered at least 80 percent of the surface area of each of two opposite sides.

Escape gaps or apertures are designed to allow undersized rock lobsters to escape. No escape gap or aperture shall be incorporated in either the top or the bottom of any pot.

Guidelines for handling rock lobster:

• avoid grasping rock lobsters by their legs or the antennae. Legs and feelers are easily detached and injured lobsters seldom survive
• female rock lobsters carry eggs from mid May through to the end of October – care should be exercised when handling lobsters during these times
• in Fiordland, seasonal moulting of rock lobsters (where they shed their outer shell) generally occurs between August and November for mature males, while females moult between February and July. During moulting, divers must avoid taking any soft-shell-stage rock lobsters where the exoskeleton has not reached full hardness
• special care should be taken to immediately return all lobsters to the water on suitable habitats so that mortalities from exposure to sun and wind, or attacks by predators as the lobsters swim to shelter, are minimised
• pots should not be left baited and unattended for more than 24 hours. Octopus can enter pots and will kill any rock lobsters that cannot escape.

What can you do to look after the rock lobster fishery?

The sustainable management of our rock lobster fisheries is supported by an extensive scientific research programme and enforcement by fishery officers and volunteer honorary fishery officers (see ‘rock lobster tagging’ section below).

It is important for all fishers to follow the regulations and use proper catching and handling practices to help ensure there will be plenty of rock lobsters for future generations.

Rock lobsters that must be returned to the sea by law should be put back immediately and carefully to maximise their chances of survival. They should be placed in an appropriate area, eg, on to foul ground such as a reef, and not on to the exposed bottom in the middle of the fiord.

Rock lobster tagging

The New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council (NZRLIC) provides research services to the Minister of Fisheries and has an extensive rock lobster stock-monitoring and research project, which includes a lobster-tagging programme.

The tagging programme is designed to find out more about the growth, distribution and seasonal patterns in abundance and size of rock lobsters, and lobster movement inside management areas. Rock lobsters increase in size each time they moult (shed their shell and grow a new one). Smaller rock lobsters can moult several times in one season, while older and larger lobsters moult less frequently. Mature female lobsters also grow more slowly than male lobsters because they use a lot of energy bearing eggs.

Tagging

When a lobster is tagged, the sex, maturity, body length, tail width and number of injuries (such as missing legs), are recorded. Five percent are double tagged to get an idea of possible tag loss.

Tags are inserted into the tissue between the body and tail. This means the tag will stay in place, even when the lobster moults, and also enables the tag to be clearly visible.

Lobsters are released after tagging, and the location and water depth are recorded. Every attempt is made to release the lobster as close as possible to where it was caught. Global positioning systems are used to record positions.

Recapture of tagged lobsters

Recapture of tagged lobsters can give us information on growth and movement. Because the researchers will not normally be present when recaptures occur, they appreciate all lobster fishers providing assistance in returning information to them on Amateur Tag Recapture cards.

These cards are available from the New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council (ph (04) 385 4005) or from a local Ministry of Fisheries office. When tagged lobsters (both legal and illegal) are caught, the researchers would like you to record the details.

The details needed include the sex, tail width, number of injuries, tag number(s) and prefix, depth, position and whether or not you retain, or release, the lobster. The number of injuries means the number of missing legs and antennae, or severe damage such as horns missing or holes in the body. The prefix of the tag number is important as there are a number of tagging programmes around the country and a tag number can be duplicated. The prefix makes it unique. While many tagged lobsters are reported by fishers, some escape detection and are only noticed when the catch is cooked and served as a meal. The prefix in these cases identifies the source of the tag. It is also important to record both tag numbers if there are two tags.

You can also report tagged rock lobsters on the tag-tracker website: http://tagtracker.trophia.co.nz/

On that site you will also find more detailed information on the rock lobster tagging programme and a summary of recapture results from around the New Zealand coastline.

You may choose to re-release the legal lobster, and the additional information when it is caught again will be very useful. If the lobster is under minimum legal size or carrying eggs it must be returned to the water in any case. When a tagged lobster is re-released, please record the position and depth. If you use the tag-tracker website to report your recaptures, please ensure that you complete the report accurately.

It is important when completing forms that the information is accurate. Please try to enter all required data. If you are not sure, leave the box blank and write a note on the form regarding the details. It is easier for someone to check with you later, than to fix ‘wrong’ data. Send tag data to:

NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council Private Bag 24-901, Wellington

How to report suspicious or illegal activity

Observe, record and report

If you see others taking more than their daily limit, or taking undersized fish, or if you are suspicious about the fishing activity of a person or a group of people, please report what you have seen to the Ministry of Fisheries as soon as you can. If possible, record or memorise the following information:

• exact location, time and date
• vessel name and numbers, description of vessel type, colour, length
• vehicle registration numbers and a description of the make, model, and colour
• number and description of people involved (and names and addresses if known)
• the details of what you observed or heard about or found.

Whether you phone or write to the Ministry of Fisheries, any information provided in confidence will remain confidential.

Do not confront a suspected offender – only a fishery officer or a police officer can make an arrest or seize property as evidence for fisheries offences.

Instead, if you can, discreetly take a photograph, note down key information and report the matter by calling the 0800 4 POACHER freephone or notify the nearest office of the Ministry of Fisheries as soon as possible.

0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224)
www.fish.govt.nz

Here’s the catch – penalties for breaking the rules

The Ministry of Fisheries does its best to make sure that everyone who fishes knows the rules and sticks to them.

The law allows the Ministry of Fisheries to issue an infringement fee to people who put themselves first and New Zealand fish stocks second.

There are graduated infringement notice penalties of $250 and $500, with maximum Court fines of $10,000. For serious noncommercial offences, there are maximum Court fines of $20,000 and $250,000 along with automatic forfeiture of any fish, gear and property (including vessels and vehicles) used in the commission of the offence.

To avoid an infringement fee:

• know and observe fish species, bag and minimum size limits
• be sure you know how to measure your catch
• use lawful fishing gear
• observe any closed seasons and area restrictions.

Further information

Please contact your nearest Ministry of Fisheries office (see ‘Contact information’ at the back of this guide) or visit www.fish.govt.nz for further information.

 

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² But excluding the coastal marine area around the Solander Islands.
³ A ‘gob’ stick is a device for removing a fish hook from inside the gullet of a fish.

 

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