Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area

Non-Commercial Fishing Areas

Internal waters of Fiordland are defined inner fiord areas as described in the Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations 2005 schedule. All commercial fishing is now prohibited within the internal waters of Fiordland creating a 46,000-hectare non-commercial fishing area. Special restrictions now apply to the internal waters, where the inner fiord habitat is characterised by steep rock walls, dominated by marine animal species and where fish life is less productive. Beyond internal water boundaries, fish life is correspondingly more abundant and prolific in the seaweed dominated outer fiord and nutrient rich coastal environment.