30 September 2009

New rules for recreational fishers in Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast from tomorrow
 

The Ministry of Fisheries is reminding recreational fishers that new rules for the “Challenger” fishery management area come into effect tomorrow (1 October 2009).

The minimum legal size for sand flounder will become 25cm instead of 23 cm – 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 minimum net mesh size for the majority of other fish species.

Inshore Fisheries Manager for the Ministry of Fisheries, Leigh Mitchell, says the changes have been made to simplify the rules and make them easier and more practical to follow.

“With one standard size for all types of flatfish, it will be easier to tell if a fish is undersized and should be put back” Ms Mitchell said.

“Removing the 1mm mesh size difference between nets for blue and red moki and standardising the net size for butterfish will make the rules simpler for fishers.

“Fishers are limited to only one net per boat at any one time, with these changes fishers will have a smaller range and will be able to target more than one type of fish with their net” she said.

“Giving fishers greater flexibility and simplifying the rules while still protecting sustainability is a key part of the Government’s 20 year goal and action plan for the fisheries sector, Fisheries 2030.”

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.

Background
More information on the recreational fishing rules for the Challenger area is available at this link: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/Challenger/default.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic

More information on Fisheries 2030 is available at this link http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Fisheries+2030/default.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic

ENDS

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