Snapper One Region Rule Change
On 1 April 2014 changes to the rules for snapper in the Snapper 1 Region come into effect. The bag limit is changing to
seven snapper per fisher per day (previously nine), and the size limit is increasing to 30cm (from 27cm).
The Snapper 1 Region covers the East Coast between North Cape and Cape Runaway out to a distance of 200 nautical miles.
There are no changes to the bag limits or minimum legal sizes outside this area. For bag and size limits in other
regions, check your local fishing rules.
The changes to the Snapper 1 bag and size limits are part of a long term plan to improve New Zealand’s most valuable
inshore finfish fishery. The changes will help improve the sustainability of snapper stocks and are part of a larger
Snapper 1 management programme.
Every fisher can support New Zealand’s fisheries through good fish handling practices. Gentle handling and careful
return of unwanted or undersize fish contributes to the sustainability of the fishery through increasing survival rates.
Simple steps like keeping fish in the water where possible, returning fish close to the surface of the water and
removing hooks gently can all help improve a fish’s chance of survival after release. Advice on good fish handling
practices is available through our website.
Fishing rules and restrictions can, and do change regularly. Fishers can keep themselves up to date with the rules by
texting ‘app’ to 9889 and downloading our free NZ Fishing Rules app, free-texting the name of a species to 9889 for bag
and size limits, visiting www.mpi.govt.nz, or collecting a brochure from their local Ministry for Primary Industries(MPI) office (a full list of locations can be
found on our website).
For further information, ring the MPI media phone: 029 894 0328
ENDS