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On this page:
- Why you must register and submit catch reports
- Who must register
- How to register
- Why we need catch reports
- Rules and regulations
- Who to contact
Why you must register and submit catch reports
Amateur-fishing charter vessel operators must:
- register with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before running trips
- provide electronic reports on their fishing trips after they're registered.
The electronic catch reports cover what was caught when they had fare-paying passengers on board.
Registering and catch reporting ensures that:
- operators can be contacted
- their interests are taken into account during fisheries management decisions.
Fisheries New Zealand has contracted eCatch Limited to run the amateur-fishing charter vessel registration process. Previously, Fishserve ran the process. eCatch also runs the electronic catch reporting app.
Who must register as an amateur-fishing charter vessel operator?
If you take people fishing and payment is made for the vessel and guide services, you must be a registered amateur-fishing charter vessel operator. Payment could be for being on the vessel, or for guide services.
Ferries and tourist sightseeing boats don't have to register because their passengers don't fish.
How to register
You register online on the eCatch website. You must re-register each year.
The cost to register and re-register is $27 (GST included).
When you first register, you must provide details for the operator, for all users of the eCatch reporting app, and for all vessels being used.
eCatch for Amateur Charter Vessel (ACV)
Next steps
After you're approved, you'll receive a secure login to the online registration system.
Use the online system to notify any changes.
Once registered, you'll be sent a registration notification which you need to produce if requested by a Fisheries New Zealand fishery officer.
You'll need to download the electronic catch reporting app (eCatch) to submit catch reports.
eCatch for Amateur Charter Vessel (ACV)
Why we need catch reports
As fishing activity increases, we need to ensure it stays sustainable. We collect information on amateur charter vessel fishing to:
- better understand how many fish are being caught so that we can set sustainable limits
- maintain and increase public confidence in our ability to manage fisheries effectively
- meet New Zealand's international obligations – especially for the 2 species of bluefin tuna that we manage
- assess the effects of events or management proposals – like when a ship runs aground, or a spatial plan is developed
- manage shared inshore fisheries through targeted information about key shared species
- detect fishing patterns that might signal important changes in fisheries (like fewer fish being caught in an area).
Rules and regulations for amateur fishing charter vessel operators
Fisheries (Amateur-Fishing) Regulations 2013 – New Zealand Legislation
Fisheries (Amateur-fishing Charter Vessel Reporting) Notice (Notice No. MPI 1882) – 2024-sl5488 – New Zealand Gazette [PDF, 47 KB]
Who to contact
For advice on amateur-fishing charter registration and vessel trip activity and catch returns:
- phone: 03 470 1414
- website: eCatch Ltd
If you want to contact MPI about the information on this page, email info@mpi.govt.nz
