NZ Fishermen allowed to release Gummy Sharks

Changes to Recreational Fishing Catch Limits to Take Effect

Blue cod, bluenose and the portion of fis h in your fish and  chips should all benefit from changes to catch limits and other measures that come into effect on 1 May.

The changes – which were announced by Government last September – are designed to support management of stocks of blue cod, bluenose, and rig (a species of small shark).

MAF Acting Inshore Fisheries Manager Steve Halley said that good fisheries management required a continuing process of review and adjustment using up-to-date scientific research and information.

“Catch limits need to be reviewed to reflect changes in the abundance of a fishstock and to ensure fishing is kept at sustainable levels.

“Other management controls are also reviewed to make sure they are operating effectively. If the catch limit for a species is reduced, controls that help limit catch also need to be adjusted to make sure limits are not exceeded,” said Halley.

The changes to recreational catch limits taking effect from 1 May are:

• A new recreational daily bag limit for blue cod in the Central (Egmont) Fishery Management Area (from North Taranaki to Titahi Bay) of 10 blue cod, within the existing 20 mixed finfish bag limit;
• A new recreational daily bag limit for blue cod in the Southland and Sub-Antarctic Fishery Management Area of 20 blue cod, within the existing 30 mixed finfish bag limit;
• A new recreational daily bag limit for bluenose of 5 bluenose, within the existing mixed finfish bag limit applicable in each area.

It was also announced last September that rig will be listed on Schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act, allowing commercial fishers to return rig to sea when likely to survive.

Rig is a small species of shark that is popular for use by fish and chip shops. A robust species, numbers can be increased by allowing fishers to return to the sea rig they don’t want, when they are likely to survive.

(Note by SYM: rig shark =Spotted estuary smooth-hound shark, Mustelus lenticulatus )

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)