b'SOUTH ISLAND BLUE COD food on the table are now payingZealands "Traffic Light System" in Blue cod is the South Islandsthe price for a mismanaged fishery.2021 under the National Blue Cod most iconic marine species.In recent years, daily bag limits haveStrategy. Recreational fishers and For generations, it has been anbeen slashed across the South Island.fishing clubs were not adequately essential part of life - the fishAreas within Canterbury, east Otagoconsulted regarding the new system, you could count on bringingTaipure and the outskirts of Kaikuradespite its profound impact.home after a day on the water. have had their bag limit cut to noThe system categorises blue cod Like many of our coastal fishmore than two blue cod per person. fisheries as green (healthy), orange species, blue cod has fallen victimThese cuts followed the(at risk), or red (critical). Canterbury to fisheries mismanagement.introduction of Fisheries Newbased fishers were immediately Stocks around parts of the Southplaced under severe restrictions, Island are now in serious decline. "So, whats fish got to dotriggering a 93 percent reduction This crisis wasnt caused by familiesto the blue cod daily bag limit.fishing with a rod and reel. It stemswith politics? Everything.While locals were limited to two from decades of limp oversight,Decisions made infish each, commercial trawlers unsustainable practices, and poorhave continued operating in the management decisions that failed toWellington shape oursame red-zone areas. Around 20 protect the future of this fishery. fisheries for generations.percent of all blue cod landed in More than 35,000 east coastthe Canterbury area is caught recreational fishers trying to putFor better or for worse." as bycatch from trawlers.Blue cod are the South Islands most iconic fish species and for generations, has been an essential part of life for fishers and their familes.PhotoLegaSea, Judy Ormandy /FISHINGINGODZONE37'