Fiordland (Te Moana O Atawhenua) Marine Area

Specific Fiordland recreational fishing rules apply

Internal waters of Fiordland

• Blue cod daily species limit of 3 with no accumulation*
• Groper (Hapuku)/bass daily species limit of 3 with no accumulation*
• Rock lobster daily species limit of 3 with no accumulation*

Fiord entrances and outer coast

• Blue cod daily species limit of 20 with no accumulation* (includes the 3 blue cod limit from within the internal fiord waters)
• Groper daily species limit of 5 with no accumulation* (includes the 3 groper limit from within the internal fiord waters)
• Rock lobster daily bag limit of 6, with a three day accumulation limit of 15 (special provisions apply)
• Any accumulated rock lobster must be held in labelled containers (refer rock lobster provisions).

Entire Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area

• Total combined finfish bag limit of 30 with no accumulation*
• Groper (Hapuku)/bass species now included inside the combined finfish bag limit.
• Jock Stewart (Sea perch) daily species limit of 10 with no accumulation included inside the combined finfish bag limit*
• Scallop and paua daily species limit of 10 with no accumulation*

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

In the case of rock lobster, there is a 3 day accumulation limit of 15 rock lobsters with special provisions applying. (Refer rock lobster provisions)

Bulk harvest method restrictions

• Blue cod pot use is prohibited inside the internal waters of Fiordland

Within the entire Fiordland Marine Area the following restrictions apply:

• 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 5 hooks per line
• Rock lobster pots limited to 3 per person and no more then 3 per vessel
• Dredges and set nets are prohibited within the entire Fiordland Marine Area.

Blue cod closed areas

• Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound internal waters are temporarily closed for taking blue cod to allow depleted stocks to rebuild.
• No person may take or possess any blue cod taken from Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound internal waters of Fiordland.

Set netting bans from October

New bans on set netting are due to come into force from 1 October 2008 to protect South Island Hector's dolphins. More information on affected areas is available here, or contact your local MFish office.