Challenger Fishery Management Area

Closed areas

Blue Cod Closed Area

It is an offence to take Blue Cod from within the enclosed waters of the Marlborough Sounds including the inner and Outer Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, as well as Tory channel.

You may still fish for other species within this area but any blue cod caught must be returned immediately to the water.
All blue cod landed within the Marlborough Sounds Area must be landed in a whole or gutted state, except for blue cod to be used for immediate personal consumption on board the vessel during the trip in which that blue cod was taken.

Note: Blue Cod caught outside the area may be transported back in a whole or gutted state through the ‘no-take’ area, however the onus is upon the fisher to provide evidence of the location of where the blue cod have been caught. Useful information to assist Fishery Officers includes GPS tracks or chart plotters and digital photographs of blue cod caught with coastal landmarks in view.

Department of Conservation

In each Fishery Management Area, there are closed areas where no fishing is allowed. These areas may be closed by the Ministry of Fisheries as prohibited areas or by the Department of Conservation as marine reserves. You should contact the Department of Conservation for details of marine reserves.

In each Fishery Management Area there are also areas where particular fishing methods are restricted. The notes in this guide identify the areas within the Challenger Fishery Management Area, but these are only a guide. If you are not sure about the location of closed fishing areas, contact your nearest Ministry of Fisheries office.

Fishing is prohibited in the Long Island Marine Reserve, Tonga Island Marine Reserve, Horoirangi Marine Reseve, Whanganui Inlet Marine Reserve and in Double Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound.