Supporting the locals at Kaikoura

Date: 20 Oct 2015

Labour weekend will see a big effort to remind recreational fishers on the Kaikoura coast of the local rules developed by the community to protect fish stocks in this iconic area.

The new rules are the result of years of work by Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikoura Coastal Marine Guardians) and came into effect in August 2014.

They apply to the area from the Clarence River in the north to the Conway River in the south.

Ministry for Primary Industries District Compliance Manager Nelson/Marlborough Ian Bright said Kaikoura is famous for its seafood, and the local community recognise that and want to keep it that way.

"Community leaders saw a threat to their coast and fisheries and took action. We're very keen to support their vision of a flourishing marine environment for current and future generations.

"We have 2 fulltime staff based in Kaikoura and 7 hard working Honorary Fishery Officers who regularly patrol the area and inspect people's catch, particularly over the busy summer months."

Mr Bright said the staff and Honorary Fishery Officers enjoy having the support of the community.

"Staff can't be everywhere all the time, but with the community behind us we have eyes and ears up and down the coast, letting us know of any suspicious activity."

"We encourage anyone to report suspected illegal fishing activity 0800 4POACHER (0800 47 62 24). All calls are confidential."

Some of the more high profile rules for the Kaikoura Marine Area are:

• Pāua – 6 per person per day, with an accumulation limit of 20

• Rock lobster/crayfish – 6 per person per day, with an accumulation limit of 18, and must be telson-clipped

• Blue cod – 6 per person per day, minimum length 33cm

• Sea perch/Jock Stewart – 20 per person per day, minimum length 26cm

• Tarakihi – 10 per person per day, minimum length 25cm

• Butterfish/greenbone – 10 per person per day, minimum length 35cm

• Blue Moki – 10 per person per day, minimum length 40cm

• Red Moki – NO TAKE

There are plenty of signs around the coast, and people are welcome to drop into the local MPI office at 114 Beach Road, Kaikoura, to pick up a copy of the rules.

For more information about the rules you can:

• visit the Kaikoura fishing rules page

• download the rules brochure [PDF, 1.6 MB]

• get the free NZ Fishing Rules app – Apple or Android

• send a free text to 9889 with the name of a species – for example "blue cod" or "pāua". You'll be sent legal bag and size limits for that species by return text.

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