fiordland (te moana o atawhenua) management area

 

Fiordland's fisheries need your help!

Fishing is one of New Zealand's most popular recreational activities. Every year growing numbers of fishers are visiting Fiordland to experience and enjoy the unique fishing and diving opportunities availiable. The increase in harvesting pressure on some of our most popular finfish, rock lobster and shellfish species is an unfortunate consequence. Unchecked, fishing pressure within the most accessible fiords has led to local depletion.  This is because fishery habitat withing the fiords is unproductive and some species suffer from poor recruitment, creating a situation where fishing harvest must be carefully managed.

Concerns about increased access and fishing pressure on Fiordland's fish stocks and a range of other undesirable impacts taking place on the Fiord marine environment, motivated a group of concerned Fiordland fishers and local users to form the Guardians of Fiordland's Fisheries and Marine Environment in 1995. Through a process of negotiated "gifts and gains" between the recreational and commerical fishers, charter operators, Ngai Tahu, environmental and community participants, the Guardians developed an integrated management strategy for the Fiordland marine environment.  The strategy incorporated modified fishing rules and marine protection measures, which have now been realised with the establishment of the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area in 2005. This area now lies inside the Southland Fishery Management Area.

It is therefore critical that all fishers familiarise themselves with the rules that now apply within the Fiordland Marine Area. By taking responsibility and complying with the law you can help conserve our valuable fisheries and marine environment.

Also see - Fiordland Marine Guardians website

Know the limits

The restrictions on recreational fishers are relatively simple.

The main points to remember are:

• Don't take more than the daily limit
• Don't take undersize fish
• Don't sell or trade your catch
• Spread your fishing effort to avoid depletion
• Don't abuse your recreational entitlement*

*Note: Only those persons physically involved in taking finfish, rock lobster or shellfish are entitled to claim a catch within the daily limit.

All fish taken and consumed during any trip must be counted within daily limit entitlement.

Fishers should also be aware of the restrictions on closed seasons, closed areas, fishing gear and method prohibitions that may apply within the Fiordland Marine Area and the wider Southland Fishery Management Area.

Alive and unharmed

Unlawfully taken fish (such as fish taken in excess of daily limit, undersize, unlawful state or fish taken with unlawful gear or method) must be immediately returned to the water, taking all care to ensure the fish is unharmed and returned in the same location where taken. Dead fish that are unlawful must also be returned to the water.