In the Kaikōura area there is a combined maximum daily bag limit of 30 finfish per fisher, consisting of any combination of species listed in Table 1. Individual species limits must not be exceeded.

Any catch taken from the area is included in the combined daily bag limit for the South-East area.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for finfish within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

*  Kaikōura – North Canterbury (those waters between Clarence Point and the Waimakariri River). Maximum daily limit of 10 blue cod per person fishing.
**  Daily combined bag limit of 5 per person with a maximum of 3 of any one species.

Seaweed

Harvesting Karengo and Bladder kelp are subject to daily limits and restrictions as follows:

Shellfish are taken when they cannot freely return to the water, for example placed into a catch bag or similar. At no time while gathering may you be in possession of more than your daily limit.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for shellfish within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

• 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).
⁺Shellfish collection is currently prohibited in the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell regions due to the earthquake closure. See map under closures and restrictions for more information. This ban does not apply to rock lobster, scampi or octopus.

Remember there may be bag and size limit restrictions for rock lobster within some areas. Check the closures and restrictions section for more information.

Rules changing in CRA5 area from 1 July 2020

Daily bag limits

Maximum of 6 rock lobster (both species combined) on any one day.

Spiny rock lobster minimum size

Measure the tail width in a straight line between the tips of the two large (primary) spines on the second segment of the tail. If you are unsure of the sex, use the 60mm measurement.

Packhorse lobster minimum size

Measure the tail length along the underside in a straight line from the rear of the calcified bar on the first segment to the tip of the middle fan of the tail. Must have a tail length of at least 216mm (male and female).

Telson Clipping

The telson is the central part of the tail fan on a rock lobster. Telson clipping is a way of marking spiny rock lobster to make it clear that they have been recreationally caught. One-third of the telson is cut off so that it is noticeably shorter than the other sections of the tail fan.

In the Kaikōura area, fishers must check that a lobster is legal size, condition and not subject to any other protections (i.e. carrying eggs) then, must immediately cut one-third off the telson.

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

Additional rules and protections

There are rules and protections for gathering rock lobster/crayfish that cover: protected types, gathering methods, pot construction and use. For more details check the:

• rules brochure [PDF, 2.1 MB],
• the free NZ Fishing Rules app – Apple or android
• rock lobster/crayfish methods page.

Closed areas

No fishing is allowed, this includes Marine Reserves.

• Hikurangi Marine Reserve
• Waiopuka (Wakatu Quay)

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

• A to Z of marine reserves – DOC website

Kaikōura earthquake-related closure

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 is closed to the gathering of shellfish and seaweed – excluding rock lobster, scampi and octopus.

The closure applies to both recreational and commercial fishers, and is necessary to help the recovery of these fisheries.

• It applies to all shellfish and seaweed species.
• The closure excludes scampi (Metanephrops challengeri), rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and octopus (Pinnoctopus cordiformis).
• Gathering shellfish or seaweed in the closed area is an offence and you could be fined up to $100,000.

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 underside fish and shellfish immediately and with minimum harm.
• Check local rules for updates every time you go fishing – download the NZ Fishing Rules app.
• Report suspicious or illegal activity – call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24).

Map: The affected area of the earthquake-related closure

Restricted areas

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

• Ōhau New Zealand Fur Seal Sanctuary
• Te Rohe o Te Whānau Puha Whale Sanctuary

Make a submission on new applications for 3 mātaitai reserves

Kaikoura marine area set net closures

The Kaikoura Marine area is closed to all set netting.

Food safety warnings

Warnings are issued when shellfish are unsafe to eat because of contamination with biotoxin.

Check for warnings in the Kaikōura area