In the Challenger area there is a combined maximum daily bag limit of 20 of any combination of species listed in Table 1. Individual species limit must not be exceeded.

In addition to the combined maximum daily bag limit, you can take individual species as listed in Table 2.

There is no limit for species not listed on Table 1 or Table 2.

Table 1 - combined bag

*You can possess up to 4 blue cod in the Challenger East Area (includes the Marlborough Sounds Area) if you can prove that no more than 2 of those blue cod were taken on any one day from the Challenger East Area. This restriction applies if you caught the fish from outside of the Challenger East Area and want to transit into the Challenger East Area.

Table 2 - additional to combined bag

*Within the bag limit of 10 snapper is a sub-limit of 3 which can be taken from the Marlborough Sounds Area.

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

* Limited provision allows a diver on a vessel to gather extra bag limits of oysters and scallops for up to 2 other people acting in a dive safety capacity from that vessel.

† The Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and Port Underwood is closed to scallop fishing from 15 July 2017 until further notice. 

• 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).

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).

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.

• Double Cove
• Hautai Marine Reserve
• Horoirangi Marine Reserve
• Kahurangi Marine Reserve
• Long Island Marine Reserve
• Maud Island area
• Punakaiki Marine Reserve
• Tauparikākā Marine Reserve
• Tonga Island Marine Reserve
• Waiau Glacier Coast
• Westhaven Inlet Marine Reserve

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

• Learn about 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 and scampi.

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) and rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii).
• 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

Marlborough Sounds Area closed for blue cod fishing

• The Marlborough Sounds is closed for blue cod fishing from September 1 until 20 December.
• This is to support the reproduction of blue cod by reducing disruption to spawning behaviour and reducing catch numbers.
• No person may take blue cod from areas marked on the map.
• During this closed season, you may transport blue cod from the Challenger East Area into the Marlborough Sounds Area as long as you can prove where the fish were taken from.

Southern Scallop Fishery and Port Underwood

• The Marlborough Sounds, Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and Port Underwood are closed to scallop fishing from 15 July 2017 until further notice. 
• The closure applies to both recreational and commercial fishers, and gives the scallop beds time to rest and recover.
• No person may take or possess scallops from the areas marked in red on the map. 
• If convicted, a penalty of up to $100,000 and forfeiture of any equipment used in the offending applies.

Find out the reasons for the closure

Restricted areas

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

• Marlborough Sounds area only. Closed 1 September - 19 December inclusive every year.
• Challenger East area (includes Marlborough Sounds area) - blue cod size and catch limits
• Cape Jackson to the Clarence River (including Queen Charlotte Sound, Tory Channel, Port Underwood, Cloudy Bay, Clifford Bay, and Cape Campbell) - no set netting
• Farewell Spit to Awarua Point - no set netting
• Pelorus Sound  - set netting and long line restrictions
• Kenepuru Sound - set netting and long line restrictions
• Tennyson Inlet and Hallam Cove - set netting restriction
• Croisilles Harbour - set netting restriction.

Food safety warnings

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

Check for warnings in the Challenger area