FISHING RULE CHANGES
14 April 2023: Changes to the Northland catch limit for spiny rock lobster
From 15 April, the catch limit for recreationally caught spiny red rock lobster in the Northland region is now 3 per fisher, per day.
The limits for packhorse lobster and the combined daily bag limit for spiny red rock lobster and packhorse lobster will remain at 6 per fisher, per day.
19 December 2022: Emergency closure measure – Coromandel scallop fishery (SCA CS)
Two defined areas, one around Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and one near the Colville Channel, in the SCA CS fishery are now closed under emergency measures. All of SCA CS is now closed to scallop fishing.
See closed areas and special restrictions
28 November 2022: Changes to recreational rules for hāpuku and bass
On 28 November 2022, recreational rules for hāpuku/bass changed for the Auckland (West) and Auckland (East), Central and Challenger fishing areas. Changes include:
- Hāpuku/bass has been removed from the combined daily bag limit with kingfish, with each now having a separate daily limit.
- A daily bag limit of no more than 2 hāpuku/bass per person.
- An accumulation limit of 3 hāpuku/bass per person if caught over more than one day.
1 April 2022: Scallop fishery closures
- Northland scallop fishery area (SCA1) is closed.
- Coromandel scallop fishery (SCA CS) – partial closure. All areas of SCA CS are closed, apart from 2 defined areas around Hauturu/Little Barrier Island and near the Colville Channel.
More details, including maps, are in the 'closed areas and special restrictions' section of this webpage.
See closed areas and special restrictions
5 May 2022: Changes to finfish bag limits
On 5 May 2022, daily bag limit rules for recreationally caught finfish changed.
- All finfish, including those with individual species limits, are now part of the combined daily bag limit (except specified baitfish species and freshwater eels).
- Specified baitfish species are part of a new daily limit of 50 combined per person, per day (additional to the combined daily bag limit for finfish).
- New infringement offences and penalties have been set for southern bluefin tuna in line with what exists for other finfish species.