Challenger area fishing rules

In the Challenger fishing area there is a combined daily bag limit of 20 finfish* per fisher, except for when fishing inside the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu/Jacksons Bay, and Tauneke/Barn Bay Mātaitai Reserves (see closed areas and special restrictions for more detail) where there is a combined daily bag limit of 10 finfish. These daily limits exclude specified baitfish and freshwater eels.

Additionally, the master of a vessel must ensure that there are no more than 30 finfish on that vessel taken from the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu/Jackson Bay, and Tauneke/Barn Bay Mātaitai reserves on any day. Individual daily bag limits still apply within the vessel limit.

Any fish taken from these Mātaitai reserves must be included and counted together with any finfish taken outside the reserves to comply with the Challenger Area combined daily bag limit of 20 finfish per person.

This means you can have a combination of up to 20 of any finfish in total in the Challenger Area (of which no more than 10 can be taken from the Mātaitai reserves). For example, in the Challenger region you could take 19 kahawai and 1 red cod, or 10 kahawai and 10 red cod, as long as you have no more than 20 in total.

There are also species with individual daily limits within the combined daily bag limit of 20 (10 in the above listed Mātaitai reserves) (Table 1). For example, there is a daily limit of 5 bluenose (but only 2 can be taken in a Mātaitai reserve with reduced finfish daily limits). This means, for example, you could take 5 bluenose and 15 kahawai (or 2 bluenose and 8 kahawai in a Mātaitai reserve with reduced finfish daily limits).

In addition to the combined daily bag limit of 20, you can take a maximum of 50 of any combination of baitfish species (Table 3) and a maximum of 6 freshwater eels (Table 4). For example, you could take 10 kahawai, 10 red cod and 50 baitfish (unless fishing in a Mātaitai reserve with reduced finfish daily limits).

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. For example, a harbour might have different size limits for certain species. Check the "Closed areas and special restrictions" section on this web page for more information.

* Finfish includes all species of finfish of the classes Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes, at any stage of their life history, whether living or dead

Table 1: Individual species daily limits within the combined bag limit

* You can possess up to 4 blue cod in the Challenger Tasman area (includes the Marlborough Sounds area) if you can prove that no more than 2 of those blue cod were taken on any one day from the Challenger Tasman area. This restriction applies if you caught the fish from outside of the Challenger Tasman area and want to move into the Challenger Tasman area.

** Where permitted, blue cod headed state minimum length is 24cm and is measured from the base of the side pectoral fin to the middle ray of the tail fin.

*** Groper (Hapuku)/Bass has an accumulation limit of no more than 3 per fisher when taken over more than one day in the Challenger area.

**** The vessel limits apply to the master of the vessel. Daily limits apply up to the vessel limit. If you are the person in charge of or operating a vessel you are responsible for ensuring the vessel limit is not exceeded.

Table 2 - Further size limits for finfish within the combined bag limit

Table 3: Additional to combined bag limit

Table 4 – Additional to combined bag limit

Shellfish are considered "taken" (collected or harvested) when they cannot freely return to the water. For example, when you put them in a bag. When you're gathering or collecting, you can never possess more than your daily limit.

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. For example, a harbour might have different size limits for certain species. Check the "Closed areas and restrictions" section on this page for more information.

There are prohibitions on shellfish harvest and reduced daily limits for some species in the Makaawhio (West Coast) Mātaitai Reserves. See the closed areas and restrictions section for detail.

* A diver on a boat can gather extra bag limits of oysters and scallops for up to 2 other people who are ensuring dive safety on the boat.

*** Map for the Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough pāua restriction [PDF, 204 KB]

****  Map of the Marfells Beach to Conway River Area [PDF, 58 KB]  

† Since 15 July 2018, the Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay, and Port Underwood are closed to scallop fishing until further notice.

• This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species not specifically named above and includes all crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles, and freshwater crayfish (koura).

***** The vessel limits apply to the master of the vessel. Daily limits apply up to the vessel limit. If you are the person in charge of or operating a vessel you are responsible for ensuring the vessel limit is not exceeded.

This section has the rules for both:

• spiny rock lobster
• packhorse lobster.

Remember, there may be other specific rules in some areas. Check the "Closed areas and special restrictions" section on this page for more information.

Daily bag limits

Spiny/red and packhorse rock lobster combined = 6 (maximum of 3 packhorse rock lobster).

Rock lobster minimum sizes

If you are unsure of the sex, use the female (larger) measurement.

Learn how to measure rock lobster and identify the sex:

Rock lobster (crayfish): rules and guidelines

Other rules and protections

There are rules for gathering rock lobster/crayfish that cover:

• protected types
• banned gathering methods
• pot construction and use.

Makaawhio (West Coast) Mātaitai Reserves

Taking or possessing rock lobster from the Okarito Lagoon, Manakaiaua/Hunts Beach, Mahitahi/Bruce Bay, Tauparikaka, and Okuru/Mussel Point Mātaitai Reserves is prohibited (see closed areas and special restrictions).

Taking or possessing spiny rock lobster from the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu /Jackson Bay, and Tauneke/ Barn Bay Mātaitai Reserves that have a tail width exceeding 70mm is prohibited.

 A vessel limit of 18 spiny rock lobster applies to the master of the vessel in the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu /Jackson Bay, and Tauneke/ Barn Bay Mātaitai Reserves. Daily limits apply up to the vessel limit. If you are the person in charge of or operating a vessel you are responsible for ensuring the vessel limit is not exceeded.

See closed areas and special restrictions.

Protected types

Some types of rock lobster are protected. You must return them to the water straight away. Protected rock lobsters are:

• undersized rock lobster
• any female rock lobster carrying external eggs ("in berry") – these are carried on the underside of the tail
• any rock lobster in the soft shell stage
• any rock lobster that cannot be measured (for example, because of damage to the tail preventing accurate measurement). Specific exemptions for very large rock lobster with damaged tails mean you can keep:
  • Spiny rock lobsters that weigh 600g or more, or have a carapace (body) length of 110mm or more
  • Packhorse rock lobsters that weigh 2kg or more, or have a tail length of 216mm or more.

Banned gathering methods

• you cannot possess rock lobster seaward of the high-water mark in an unmeasurable state
• no spring-loaded loops or lassos – hand operated only
• no spears or puncturing devices – it is an offence to possess a speared rock lobster
• do not remove external eggs from any rock lobster
• no baited nets
• maximum of 3 rock lobster pots per fisher
• maximum of 6 rock lobster pots from a vessel for 2 or more fishers.

Visit our rock lobster page for information on pot construction and use

From Bush End Point, Farewell Spit to Clarence Point

Telson clipping is required for all spiny rock lobsters that you take.

The last third of the telson (central part of the tail fan) must be cut off so that it is noticeably shorter than the other sections of the tail fan.

Labelled diagram of a telson-clipped lobster [PDF, 551 KB]

Do not telson clip any packhorse rock lobsters.

When daily limits are accumulated over a multi-day trip, the maximum number of spiny rock lobster that one person can have in their possession at any one time is 18 spiny rock lobsters (3 daily bag limits of 6).

This possession limit applies everywhere, including in the home.

"Bag and tag" conditions apply – you must hold spiny rock lobster in a container or bag that contains only a single day’s catch and is clearly labelled with:

• the individual fisher’s name
• the date the lobsters were taken
• the number of lobsters held.

Video: Telson Clipping Your Crayfish(2.25)

The lists below show areas where:

• fishing is not allowed (closed areas)
• size limits and catch limits might be different (special restrictions).

Closed areas

You can't fish in these areas. This includes marine reserves.

• Double Cove
• Hautai Marine Reserve
• Horoirangi Marine Reserve
• Kahurangi Marine Reserve
• Long Island Marine Reserve
• Maud Island area
• Punakaiki Marine Reserve
• Tauparikākā Marine Reserve
• Tonga Island Marine Reserve
• Waiau Glacier Coast
• Westhaven Inlet Marine Reserve

Marine reserves are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

A to Z of marine reserves – DOC

Southern Scallop Fishery and Port Underwood

• Since 15 July 2018, the Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay, and Port Underwood are closed to scallop fishing until further notice.
• The closure applies to both recreational and commercial fishers to give the scallop beds time to rest and recover.
• No person may take or possess scallops from the areas marked in red on the map.
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Find out more about the Southern Scallop Fishery and Port Underwood closure

Mātaitai reserves

Mātaitai reserves are established over traditional Māori fishing grounds to allow for customary seafood gathering and sustainable management of the area/rohe moana by appointed Tāngata Tiaki/ Kaitiaki (Guardians). All commercial fishing is prohibited unless specifically allowed and fishing bylaw prohibitions and restrictions may apply to recreational fishing.

Makaawhio Mātaitai Reserves

These are 9 mātaitai reserves on the West Coast of the South Island. Tangata tiaki/Kaitiaki have made bylaws for non-commercial fishers which have been approved by the minister for Oceans and Fisheries to address localised declines of fish stocks and proactively protect and restore mahinga kai species to ensure ongoing utilisation for the community.

Fact sheet: Makaawhio (West Coast) mātaitai reserves bylaws [PDF, 1.4 MB]

South of Haast

• Okāhu Mātaitai Reserve – location Jackson Head
• Okuru Mātaitai Reserve – location Mussel Point, Okuru
• Popotai Taumaka Mātaitai Reserve – location Open Bay Islands
• Tauneke Mātaitai Reserve – location: Barn Bay

Makaawhio Mātaitai (south of Haast)

North of Haast

• Tauperikaka Mātaitai Reserve – location: from Tauperikaka Point to Fox creek outlet
• Paringa Mātaitai Reserve – location: Knights Point to Buttress Point
• Mahitahi Mātaitai Reserve – location: Bruce Bay
• Manakaiaua Mātaitai Reserve – location: Hunt’s Beach
• Ōkārito Mātaitai Reserve – location: Ōkārito Lagoon

Makaawhio mātaitai reserves (north of Haast)

Ōkārito Mātaitai Reserve

Fisheries (Makaawhio Mātaitai Reserves Bylaws) Notice 2025 (Notice No. MPI 1944) – NZ Gazette

Different daily limits and restrictions apply to some species in the Makaawhio Mātaitai reserves as listed in the tables below.

Taking or possessing any seaweed (other than Karengo or Undaria pinnatifida) from any of the Makaawhio Mātaitai Reserves is prohibited.

Taking or possessing more than 10 finfish from the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu /Jackson Bay, and Tauneke/Barn Bay Mātaitai Reserves is prohibited.

Taking or possessing spiny rock lobster from the Paringa, Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands, Okahu /Jackson Bay, and Tauneke/Barn Bay Mātaitai Reserves that have a tail width exceeding 70mm is prohibited.

Vessel limits

The vessel limits apply to the master of the vessel. Daily limits apply up to the vessel limit. If you are the person in charge of or operating a vessel you are responsible for ensuring the vessel limit is not exceeded.

Transiting through Mātaitai Reserves

The bylaws apply within the boundaries of the Mataitai Reserve areas. If you have been fishing outside of the area boundaries the general Challenger Area rules will apply. To assist Fishery Officers inspecting your catch let them know where you have been fishing. Recording your vessel route on your vessel chart plotter or geolocated photographs showing where you were fishing will be helpful.

The bylaws are designed to address localised declines of fish stocks and proactively protect and restore species to ensure ongoing utilisation for the community.

Taking or possessing any shellfish not listed below from the Makaawhio Mātaitai Reserves is prohibited.

Mātaitai reserves – South of Haast

Mātaitai reserves – North of Haast

Mātaitai reserves – Finfish limits

Set netting restrictions

Set netting is banned from Farewell Spit to Cape Soucis, then from Cape Jackson to the Clarence River out to 4 nautical miles. This includes:

• the entire Queen Charlotte Sound
• Tory Channel
• Port Underwood
• Cloudy Bay
• Clifford Bay
• Cape Campbell.

Find out about the new restrictions

Set netting is banned on the West Coast, from Farewell Spit to Awarua Point. The ban area extends from the shore out to 2 nautical miles.

Kaikōura earthquake-related closure

For the area between Marfells Beach (west of Cape Campbell) and the Conway River (which sits south of the Kaikōura township), extending 4 nautical miles from shore, the following will apply.

The Kaikōura pāua fishery (Marfells Beach to Conway River) is closed between 1 September and 30 April. If you take any pāua from this area during this time you may face prosecution.

In support of the extended season, the Minimum Legal Size has been increased for Ordinary (Blackfoot) pāua from 125 mm to 130 mm to protect a greater proportion of spawning pāua. Please ensure you are using the correct measuring tool and see our guidelines on harvesting pāua to ensure any undersized pāua are safely returned to the water.

Pāua: rules and guidelines

Recreational fishers will be able to take other shellfish and seaweed (except Bull kelp) in this area from 22 April 2024 onwards according to the limits set in the Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice.

There are some areas that remain closed to all pāua gathering during and after the pāua season.

• Te Taumanu o Te Waka a Māui Taiāpure (Kaikōura Peninsula)
• Oaro Mātaitai
• Mangamaunu Mātaitai
• Te Waha o te Marangai Mātaitai.

The Oaro-Haumuri Taiāpure will be open to pāua gathering during the open season according to the limits in the table above, but will be closed to seaweed and shellfish (except scampi, rock lobster, octopus and kinda) gathering.

The Hikurangi Marine Reserve and Waiopuka (Wakatu Quay) reef area are closed to all fishing at all times.

Marlborough and North Canterbury fishing areas

The marine environment in the shellfish and seaweed closure area is damaged after the earthquakes, and it’s going to take several years to recover. The loss of fishing grounds between North Canterbury (Conway River) and Marlborough (Marfells Beach) has caused an increase in fishing pressure on the neighbouring areas.

If you are gathering kaimoana in Marlborough and Canterbury, do your part to help keep these fisheries sustainable by:

• limiting your catch by taking less than your bag limit and just enough for a feed
• changing your fishing method or area if you are only catching small fish or shellfish
• taking special care to return an undersize fish and shellfish immediately and with minimum harm
• checking local rules for updates every time you go fishing – download the NZ Fishing Rules app
• reporting suspicious or illegal activity – call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224).

Marlborough Sounds area closed for blue cod fishing

• The Marlborough Sounds is closed for blue cod fishing from 1 September to 10 January (inclusive) annually. This was extended in August 2025 from 19 December to address overfishing concerns.
• This is to support the reproduction of blue cod by reducing disruption to spawning behaviour and reducing catch numbers.
• No person may take blue cod from areas marked red on the map below.
• During this closed season, you may transport blue cod from the Challenger East area into the Marlborough Sounds area as long as you can prove where the fish were taken from.

Southern Scallop Fishery and Port Underwood

• Since 15 July 2018, the Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay, and Port Underwood are closed to scallop fishing until further notice.
• The closure applies to both recreational and commercial fishers to give the scallop beds time to rest and recover.
• No person may take or possess scallops from the areas marked in red on the map.
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Find out more about the Southern Scallop Fishery and Port Underwood closure

Restricted areas

Particular fishing methods are banned or catch/bag limits for particular species are different.

• Marlborough Sounds area only. Closed 1 September to 10 January inclusive every year.
• Challenger East area (includes Marlborough Sounds area) – blue cod size and catch limits.
• Pelorus Sound – set netting and long line restrictions.
• Kenepuru Sound – set netting and long line restrictions.
• Ōkahu – no taking of pāua.
• Popotai Taumaka – no taking of pāua.
• Tennyson Inlet and Hallam Cove – set netting restriction.
• Croisilles Harbour – set netting restriction.

Blue cod restrictions

Shellfish food safety warnings

We issue warnings not to collect shellfish when testing shows that they contain unsafe levels of toxins.

Check for shellfish warnings