NZSFC Latest Updates and News

Fisheries Management Updates

In an effort to improve communication with our members and supporters the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has developed regular Updates. This news is produced in a variety of formats and publications. In the list below the latest Updates and news are at the top of the list.

Kahawai Legal Challenge - Brief summary

What was it about?

The Kahawai Legal Challenge proved that recreational fishers were able to foot-it with commercial interests when pushed. Fishing groups rallied wide support and combined resources to challenge the Minister's kahawai decisions. Lessons were learnt and our rights were clarified. Recreational fishers have a right to quality fishing. 

Update #12

What a difference a month makes!

After last month's decisions we have had some positive developments in public awareness, LegaSea enrolments and fisheries management. 

Update #11

When money trumps environmental sense 

Money and commercial interests have won the latest round of decisions, with sanction from our fisheries Minister and international commissioners managing Pacific tuna. Consequently, there will be less public access to crayfish, yellowfin and other tunas in the future.

Update #10

Will our Yelllowfin come back? 

It has been another very poor Yellowfin tuna season in New Zealand. Last year the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council clubs reported a mere 20 yellowfin landed or tagged and released. It couldn't get much worse and hasn't got any better this year. So what has caused their demise and what can be done to bring back our yellowfin?

Update #9

LegaSea - a fresh start to a brighter future

LegaSea, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council's fundraising initiative, was officially launched in Auckland on 9th February. Its sole purpose is to provide the public with a way to contribute money to support their ongoing work to protect our collective non-commercial fishing interests. 

Update #8

Morgan's book - a controversial stocking filler

Hook, Line and Blinkers is a novel that tells a tale of oceans unmanaged, polluted, depleted by overfishing and about to finally fall into complete ruin.........

Update #7

Advocacy, research and science

An online update on a variety of issues affecting recreational fishermen and our fisheries. Follow the links to submissions, commentary and reports on Southern bluefin tuna, foreign charter vessel operations, the prohibition of night fishing and Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the Pacific to increase abundance and availability Yellowfin tuna to New Zealand fishermen.

Update #6

Marlin management in the spotlight

A meeting to discuss the current and future management of marlin catch in New Zealand will be held in March next year (2013). The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has spent three years working through the process of developing a Fisheries Plan for Highly Migratory Species with the Ministry of Fisheries, Maori representatives and other stakeholders.

Update #5

Will foreign charters prevail?

Foreign Charter Vessels fishing in New Zealand waters has been a hot topic lately. The Government has been under pressure to address allegations of abuse highlighted in various media and public forums.

Update #4

Minister in thrall to commercial interests?

It was a feature of the recent management proposals that the Ministry of Fisheries were offering commercial shareholders perpetual catching rights that previously belonged to the public. Cuts were proposed to overall allowances and/or daily bag limits while commercial catch limits were being either maintained or cut merely "to remove potential catch headroom". This is double jeopardy for public fishing interests.

Update #3

Kingfish, bluenose and blue cod limits

It'a no brainer. No increases in commercial catch limits for northwest Kingfish and 100% observer coverage on chartered factory trawlers. Now is the time to significantly cut commercial bluenose catches to avoid collapse.

Update #2

Kahawai, crayfish and unjustified catch increases

Commercial crayfish catch limits have increased in Area 4, ignoring conservation efforts by local NZSFC club members and strong advice from our fisheries management team. It is unjust to put the cost of commercial overfishing onto the public.

Update #1

Deemed values, southern bluefin and Marlborough blue cod

The NZSFC recommends the Fisheries Minister implement practical controls to curb excessive commercial fishing. Excess catch ought to be reduced from the following year's catch limits. The decision to increase commercial catch limits for southern bluefin tuna is objectionable, especially when managers know that more cuts will be needed in future years.