#national: High Compliance but Ongoing Concerns as Fishery Officers Step Up Summer Enforcement

Fishery Officers across Aotearoa carried out nearly 13,000 recreational catch inspections over the summer period, with national compliance sitting at a strong 94 percent. While the majority of recreational fishers followed the rules, authorities say persistent breaches-particularly around pāua, crayfish, and set netting-remain a concern.

In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, officers conducted 5,806 inspections between December and the end of February. Of those, 361 cases of non-compliance were identified. Most breaches involved fish that were undersized or catches that exceeded legal limits. While many fishers received warnings, more than 85 infringement notices were issued, and over 25 cases remain under active investigation.

Fisheries New Zealand says education continues to be a key part of enforcement, with officers taking the opportunity to inform fishers of the rules when minor breaches occur. However, authorities have made it clear that more serious offending will result in prosecution. In one recent case, an Auckland man was successfully prosecuted for selling recreationally caught fish and has since been banned from all fishing activities for three years.

Set netting remains a major focus area for compliance teams. Officers continue to confiscate illegal nets, including one recent discovery of three nets tied together stretching 160 metres. Other concerning incidents included nets without proper markings, posing risks to other water users, and environmentally harmful practices such as using a car battery as an anchor. In another case, a decoy duck was used to conceal a set net, while some nets were found staked in ways that left fish dead out of the water.

In Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, 2,435 inspections were carried out, uncovering 192 instances of non-compliance. The majority of breaches involved pāua and crayfish, particularly relating to size and quantity limits. Around 100 infringement notices were issued, with further cases still under investigation.

Across Te Waipounamu the South Island, Fishery Officers completed 4,488 inspections, identifying 261 cases of non-compliance. Ninety-three infringement notices were issued, and around 25 cases remain under enquiry. Common issues included excessive catches of pāua and crayfish, as well as problems with blue cod-particularly fish being undersized or not landed in a legal condition.

Authorities are continuing to raise concerns about the handling of blue cod, noting that fish must be landed whole or gutted, and in some regions headed and gutted. The use of blue cod as bait, which has been detected in parts of Southland and Otago, is also prohibited and poses a risk to the sustainability of the fishery.

Fisheries New Zealand is encouraging all recreational fishers to take responsibility for understanding the rules before heading out. Tools such as the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app provide up-to-date information on size limits, catch allowances, closed areas, and gear restrictions.

Officials are also urging the public to report any suspected illegal fishing activity through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ 0800 POACHER hotline, as part of ongoing efforts to protect Aotearoa’s marine resources for future generations.