Closed and restricted areas

In each of the regional Fishery Management Areas, there are closed and restricted areas where no fishing is allowed. These areas may be closed by the Ministry for Primary Industries as prohibited areas (e.g. area near the Auckland International Airport and Tawharanui Peninsula) or by the Department of Conservation as marine reserves (e.g. Long Bay – Okura Marine Reserve).

Within the North Region there are locations which are closed to shellfish gathering. The following notes identify some of the areas, but this should only be used as a guide as closures may change from time to time. If you are unsure of the location of closures or the species subject to closure, you should contact your nearest Ministry for Primary Industries office.

Shellfish closures and restricted areas

Umupuia Beach - closed to taking of cockles for 2 years from 25 October 2012. Cockle Bay - closed for taking of all shellfish 1 October to 30 April each year (both days inclusive). Whangateau Harbour - closed to taking of cockles and pipis from 25 March 2010.

The following areas within Auckland are closed to all shellfish gathering: Eastern Beach, Karekare Beach, and Cheltenham Beach.

Set nets

The following areas are closed to set netting: Three Kings Islands, Cape Reinga – Scott Point, Reef Point to Whangape Harbour, Bay of Islands (Cape Wiwiki, Whale Rock, The Twins - Cape Brett) northern side of the Hen and Chickens, Mokohinau Islands, Simpson Rock, Little Barrier, Great Barrier (Needles Point, eastern side of Arid Island, Cape Barrier),Channel Island, Cape Colville, most of the Mercury Islands, Pauanui, Tamaki River, Panmure Basin, Muriwai Beach, Karekare Beach, Pariokariwa Point to Maunganui Bluff, Manukau Heads and Cape Runaway.

Set nets and set lines

These methods are prohibited in the following places: all year round the Poor Knights Islands, Mimiwhangata, and Mayor Island; from 1 October to 30 April in the eastern Bay of Islands (except for grey mullet and flatfish nets); from 1 December to 31 March for 6 nautical miles from Okatoa Rock (near Motu River mouth). Contact the Ministry for Primary Industries for the exact locations.

Closed areas for set nets

Set netting is prohibited between Maunganui Bluff north of Kaipara Harbour and Pariokariwa Point north of New Plymouth - offshore to seven nautical miles.

Set netting is prohibited at the entrance of the Kaipara, Manukau and Raglan harbours as well as at the Waikato River entrance.

There are other set net prohibitions and restrictions in the Auckland and Kermadec Fishery Management Area and the Central Fishery Management Area that are to protect Maui’s dolphins.

You must check for set net prohibitions and restrictions in the area where you plan to fish - before you go fishing.

Check the Recreational section of this site or call your nearest Ministry for Primary Industries office.

A set net includes a gill net or other sort of net that acts by enmeshing, entrapping, or entangling fish; but does not include a fyke net or hïnaki.

IMPORTANT

Unless specified, the prohibition does not apply to rivers and harbours - subject to any other fisheries restrictions, you can use set nets in these areas inside a straight line joining the natural entrance points of the waterway. The regulations define these points in some cases because they are not always clear.

Set net prohibition in the Kaipara Harbour entrance.	Set net prohibition in the Manukau Harbour entrance.
Set net prohibition in the Waikato River entrance.	Set net prohibition in the Raglan Harbour entrance

Fisheries (Marsden Bank Temporary Closure) Notice 2011

Pursuant to Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996

That area of New Zealand fisheries waters enclosed by a line that –

a) Commences at a point at the seaward end of the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.21¢S and 174°29.95¢E); then
b) Proceeds in a generally easterly direction to the Port to Whangarei marker buoy 2 (at 35°50.31¢S and 174°30.43¢E); then
c) Proceeds in a generally south-westerly direction to a point offshore (at 35°50.65¢S and 174°30.09¢E);); then
d) Proceeds in a generally north-westerly direction to a point on the mean high water mark (at 35°50.58¢S and 174°30.00¢E) then
e) Proceeds along the mean high water mark to the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.24¢S and 174°29.91¢E) then
f) Proceeds in a generally north-easterly direction along the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty to the point of commencement

No person may take pipi from Marsden Bank while this notice is in force. 

 Download Marsden Bank Temporary Closure Map (PDF 904KB)