MFish launch ‘Size Does Matter’ awareness campaign

5 December 2008

‘Size Does Matter’ is the key message of the Ministry of Fisheries summer awareness campaign which was launched today, 5th December.

The campaign aims to inform the public about the fishing rules and regulations they need to adhere to while out fishing this summer.

“We are launching ‘Size Does Matter’ to ensure that everyone enjoys a great summer of fishing,” says Andrew Coleman, MFish National Manager of Fisheries Compliance.

“Our aim is to inform all fishers that while we want you, your mates and your family to enjoy our wonderful marine resource we all need to do so responsibility, to protect it for future generations of kiwis.”

“These rules and regulations are in place to ensure the continued sustainability of New Zealand’s fisheries,” he says.

During the summer season MFish will be promoting fishers to find out the rules for the place where they fish, before they go fishing.

“Over the summer months we will be continually emphasising the need for people to check the rules for where and what they want to fish before they drop a line, set a net or lay a pot, all the information they need is on our website at fish.govt.nz or simply by visiting or calling your local MFish office,” says Mr Coleman.

‘Size Does Matter’ relates to making sure fishers check all their recreational catch, be it finfish, shellfish or rock lobster, to make sure they meet the minimum size limit requirements. All these size limits and daily take limits are on the MFish website. ‘Size Does Matter’ is the first in a series of features which will be a focus of this campaign.

“We are not here just to police our fisheries, we are here to inform and educate fishers on responsible fishing. We all have to ensure that future generations can also enjoy the right to our wonderful marine resource,” says Mr Coleman.