Update – 13 February 2026
Amended circulars published
Fisheries New Zealand received feedback on the proposed amendments to the fisheries circulars and all submitters were supportive of the proposed changes. As such, the decision was made to amend the Fisheries (E-logbook Users Instructions and Codes) Circular and the Fisheries (E-logbook Technical Specifications) Circular.
The amendments include:
1. Requiring that the only acceptable fishing method code, when targeting rock lobster by potting, is RLP (rock lobster potting): Since the introduction of electronic reporting, fishers have occasionally reported other potting method codes when targeting rock lobster, including those used for crab and cod pot reporting. Several commercial fishing and reporting regulations are specific to RLP, like escape gaps. Making RLP the only acceptable fishing method code will ensure adherence to these requirements and simplify reporting.
2. The reporting of legal state retained (LSR) rock lobster: LSR is defined as the amount of legal state rock lobster, in greenweight kilograms, remaining on board at the completion of each fishing event and is required to be reported on the Fish Catch Report alongside the estimated catch. Reporting LSR will apply to both rock lobster species in the QMS, spiny red rock lobster (CRA), and packhorse lobster (PHC).
3. Requiring a fishing event to be completed prior to any rock lobster being placed or removed from a holding pot in the water: This will enable the accurate reporting of all LSR onboard immediately before any lobster is disposed of, either into or out of a holding pot.
Find the new circulars published
Changing to the new logbooks
A transition period has been included in the amendment, which means fishers can continue to use the current versions of their logbooks until 31 March 2026. This allows enough time for logbook providers to make the changes required and for fishers to download the new logbook version.
