New minimum legal size for kingfish on January 15

The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) advises that a new national recreational minimum size limit of 75 cm is to be introduced for kingfish, increasing the legal minimum size by 10cm, from the previous limit of 65 cm.

The move takes effect on 15 January 2004, and is aimed at contributing to rebuilding one of New Zealand's most popular sport fish stocks.

The new minimum size is among a number of recent changes for the kingfish fishery. Kingfish was introduced into the Quota Management System (QMS) on 1 October 2003, and commercial catch limits and allowances were set for the first time.

MFish considers the increase in the recreational size limit will have the dual benefits of restraining recreational landings within the set allowance, and also improving the yield from the fishery.

Recreational fishers support the change, and some have already voluntarily set bag limits of one fish a day, and introduced size limits of one metre in fishing contests.

© Scoop Media