Kaikōura area fishing rules

In the Kaikōura Marine Area, there is a combined daily bag limit of 30 finfish* per fisher (excluding specified baitfish and freshwater eels).

This means that you can have a combination of up to 30 of any finfish in total. For example, you could have 10 kahawai, 10 blue moki and 10 red cod. As long as you have no more than 30 in total.

There are also species with individual daily limits within the combined daily bag limit of 30 (Table 1). You must not exceed individual species limits. For example, there is a daily limit of 3 bluenose. This means you could have 3 bluenose, 7 kahawai, 10 blue moki and 10 red cod.

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

In addition to the combined daily bag limit of 30, 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 blue moki, 10 red cod, and 50 baitfish.

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 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

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/collection, 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.

• 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).

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

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.

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 can't possess rock lobster in an unmeasurable state seaward of the high water mark.
• 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 this page for information on pot construction and use:

Rock lobster

Closed areas

No fishing is allowed, this includes.

• Hikurangi Marine Reserve
• Waiopuka (Wakatu Quay) Rāhui

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

A to Z of marine reserves – DOC website

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 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 season according to the limits in the table above, but will be closed to seaweed and shellfish (except scampi, rock lobster, octopus and kina) 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 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).

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

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 biotoxins.

Check for warnings in the Kaikōura area