Fisheries New Zealand says its officers will be stepping up pressure on recreational fishers who break set net rules during summer.
While the overall compliance rate throughout the country sits at 94%, set nets that don’t meet regulations remain a problem, particularly in the Port Waikato, Kaipara Harbour, and Manukau harbour areas.
Fisheries New Zealand regional manager north, Andre Espinoza says there are areas around the country that are closed or have restrictions on set netting and fishers need to know and understand this as part of their planning or face the cost of not doing so.
“In October we successfully prosecuted two men who broke every rule possible, including set netting in a prohibition area, no marked surface floats, using poles or stakes to attach it to the seafloor and using a set net that was too close to another set net. This cost them $4,500,” said Mr Espinoza.
“Our job is to protect the sustainability of our shared fisheries and help ensure protected species are not harmed by fishing activity. We take this type of offending very seriously.
“We’ve heard all the excuses such as not knowing rules like marking surface floats with your name and contact, or that staking nets onto the seafloor is prohibited.”
There are restrictions around length and size of the set net too and they cannot be blocking a channel.
“We often recover illegal set nets, and we will hold people to account who break these important rules. One of the best things you can do before going fishing is to download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app because it will provide you with the latest rules for the area you intend to fish – including closures and gear restrictions.”
“If you’re planning to go fishing with a set net and you’re not clear about what you can and can’t do – you’re risking a large fine or in some circumstances, you may find yourself before the court.
“We want people to have an enjoyable fishing experience – one to remember for all the right reasons,” Mr Espinoza says.
People can report any suspected illegal activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 4 POACHER line (0800 476 224).
More information on set nets – Code of Practice [PDF, 22 MB]
