Closed and restricted areas

The use of set nets is prohibited in the Southland Fishery Management Area from Slope Point to Sandhill Point, east of Fiordland – offshore to four nautical miles. Set netting is also prohibited in the whole of Te Waewae Bay between Old Man Rock, west of Garden Bay and Sandhill Point. (refer to map).

Note: The prohibition also extends beyond Slope Point into the South East Fishery Management Area. Recreational set netting is also prohibited within the Fiordland Marine Area, west of Sandhill Point.

Unless specified, the set netting prohibitions do not apply to harbours, estuaries, rivers, inlets and lagoons. (Contact the Ministry for Primary Industries for further details).

Te Whaka a Te Wera / Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve:

Additional bylaws apply within the Te Whaka a Te Wera / Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve including area closures, prohibitions and reduced bag limits.

(Contact the Ministry for Primary Industries for details and a copy of the Te Whaka a Te Wera / Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve brochure).

 Download Te Whaka a Te Wera / Paterson Inlet Mataitai Reserve brochure (PDF 439KB)

Fiordland Marine Area:

Specific rules apply for the Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Area including area closures and reduced bag limits. (Contact the Ministry for Primary Industries for details and a copy of the Fiordland Marine Area brochure).

The Department of Conservation should be contacted for details regarding:

• Marine Reserves (where fishing is prohibited) and Marine Mammal Sanctuaries that exist within the Stewart Island and Fiordland areas.