The Regulations, Bag Limits and Controls governing recreational anglers are published and enforced by the Ministry of Fisheries (M of F not MAF). These regulations are neccesary to prevent over-fishing of fish stocks, prevention of abuse to fish and marine life, and to ensure there is a healthy and plentiful supply of seafood for future generations.
Commercial Fishermen have similar Controls using a tonnage quota system.
For recreational fishers, New Zealand is divided up into 5 Fishing Districts, each with their own Bag Limits. The two Districts mostly affecting the fishing activities of the MV JOY Fishing Club are:-
Auckland & Kermadec Area (incl Kaipara Harbour) & SNA1 - North Cape to Cape Runaway, (Auckland and
East Coast).
The only difference as far as the MV JOY fishos are concerned is that we can all catch a 20 mixed-bag of fish PLUS 10 x 27cmSnapper PLUS up to 5 more fish which can be either Hapuka/Groper/Bass or Kingfish (max of 3 Kingfish in the 5) on the West Coast.
In SNA1 it is a 20 mixed-bag PLUS 7 x 30cm Snapper, PLUS up to 5 more fish which can be Hapuka/Groper/Bass or Kingfish (max of 3 Kingfish in the 5).
Commercial Fishermen have similar Controls using a tonnage quota system.
For recreational fishers, New Zealand is divided up into 5 Fishing Districts, each with their own Bag Limits. The two Districts mostly affecting the fishing activities of the MV JOY Fishing Club are:-
Auckland & Kermadec Area (incl Kaipara Harbour) & SNA1 - North Cape to Cape Runaway, (Auckland and
East Coast).
The only difference as far as the MV JOY fishos are concerned is that we can all catch a 20 mixed-bag of fish PLUS 10 x 27cmSnapper PLUS up to 5 more fish which can be either Hapuka/Groper/Bass or Kingfish (max of 3 Kingfish in the 5) on the West Coast.
In SNA1 it is a 20 mixed-bag PLUS 7 x 30cm Snapper, PLUS up to 5 more fish which can be Hapuka/Groper/Bass or Kingfish (max of 3 Kingfish in the 5).
New Zealand Recreational Fishing Regulations
The Minimum Size of each Fish Caught
In the areas we most often fish the following Bag Limits and Minimum Fish Sizes apply:-
A combined Daily Bag Limit of 20 of any In addition to the 20 combined limit,
combination of the following fish. you can also take.
Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length
Blue Cod 30 cm 6 Eels -
Blue Moki 40 cm 30 Grey Mullet -
Bluenose - 7 Snapper 30 cm in SNA1 area
Butterfish 35 cm otherwise
Elephant Fish - 10 Snapper 27 cm in all other areas
Flatfish (except Sand Flounder) 25 cm
John Dory - In addition to the above limits you may
Kahawai - also take a combined daily limit of 5
Parore -
Porae - Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length
Red Cod 25 cm Groper/Hapuka/Bass -
Red Gurnard 25 cm Kingfish 75 cm (max of 3)
Red Moki 40 cm
Red Snapper -
Rig - No Daily Bag Limit or Size Limit
Sand Flounder 23 cm applies to all other finfish.
School Shark -
Tarakihi 25 cm
Trevally 25 cm (Fish are measured from the tip of their nose
Trumpeter 35 cm to the inside "<" of their tail)
In the areas we most often fish the following Bag Limits and Minimum Fish Sizes apply:-
A combined Daily Bag Limit of 20 of any In addition to the 20 combined limit,
combination of the following fish. you can also take.
Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length
Blue Cod 30 cm 6 Eels -
Blue Moki 40 cm 30 Grey Mullet -
Bluenose - 7 Snapper 30 cm in SNA1 area
Butterfish 35 cm otherwise
Elephant Fish - 10 Snapper 27 cm in all other areas
Flatfish (except Sand Flounder) 25 cm
John Dory - In addition to the above limits you may
Kahawai - also take a combined daily limit of 5
Parore -
Porae - Finfish Species - Minimum Fish Length
Red Cod 25 cm Groper/Hapuka/Bass -
Red Gurnard 25 cm Kingfish 75 cm (max of 3)
Red Moki 40 cm
Red Snapper -
Rig - No Daily Bag Limit or Size Limit
Sand Flounder 23 cm applies to all other finfish.
School Shark -
Tarakihi 25 cm
Trevally 25 cm (Fish are measured from the tip of their nose
Trumpeter 35 cm to the inside "<" of their tail)