If you’re heading out to fish in Fiordland this summer, make sure you’re up-to-date with the fishing rules, whether you’re a seasoned local or a first-time visitor.
Fisheries New Zealand Compliance Regional Manager South, Garreth Jay says the unique environment of Fiordland means that different parts of the Fiords can sustainably support different amounts of fishing, and this is reflected in the rules for the area.
“Within the Fiordland Marine Area there are different areas which have different daily limits for some species, and no-take areas for others. It’s important that all fishers make sure they check the rules for the area they will be fishing in advance as part of their preparation for their fishing trip,” says Garreth Jay.
“The easiest way to check the rules is to download the NZ Fishing Rules App – it’s free and once downloaded it will work even if there’s no mobile phone coverage”.
“We want your fishing experience to be something to remember for all the right reasons so make the App part of your fishing tool kit. It has everything you need to know – daily bag limits, minimum legal sizes, and any closures or restrictions.”
The different areas of Fiordland and their rules
The Fiordland Marine Area (Te Moana o Atawhenua) covers the waters from Awarua Point to Sandhill Point and has different fishing rules from the rest of the South Island.
The main areas of the Fiordland Marine Area that have different rules are:
Within the Fiords – this is all waters inshore of the line between the headlands of each Fiord, apart from Milford Sound for which it is the waters east of a straight line between Saint Anne Point and Stripe Point.
- There are reduced daily limits for many species within the Fiords.
- Daily limits within the Fiords are included as part of the maximum daily species and combined finfish bag limit for the Fiordland Marine Area and are not additional.
Internal Waters – these are defined waters within each Fiord. You can see maps showing the Internal Waters on the NZ Fishing Rules app or Fisheries New
Zealand website: www.mpi.govt.nz/ fiordland-fishing-rules
- All commercial fishing is banned in the Internal waters of the Fiords.
- Blue cod pots are not allowed to be used in the internal waters, and no take of blue cod is allowed within the Milford Sound internal waters.
- No groper/hapuku take is allowed in any of the internal waters
There are ten marine reserves within the Fiordland Marine Area which are closed to all fishing. These are included in the maps on the NZ Fishing Rules app, and you can find more information about these on the Department of Conservation’s website: www.doc. govt.nz
To find the maps in the NZ Fishing Rules app, from the home screen select More in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, then Closures and Restrictions, and then Fiordland Marine Area.
In addition to the fishing rules, if you’re bringing a vessel from outside of the Fiordland Marine Area you will also need to get a Clean Vessel Pass to show your vessel and gear has been cleaned and checked to avoid bringing marine pests to Fiordland. Along with your pass, you’ll also be sent a copy of Fiordland by Sea, which is the Fiordland Marine Guardian’s comprehensive guide to the Fiordland Marine Area.
“It takes everyone doing their bit to keep our fisheries sustainable so they can be enjoyed now and by future generations, and you can help by knowing and following the rules,” says Garreth Jay.
