B
ack in June, Fisheries 
New Zealand proposed 
commercial catch limit 
changes for more than 
24 fish stocks across 
the country including 
snapper, trevally and 
elephant fish. With 
a tight deadline of 21-working 
days, we had to prioritise the 
fish stocks that matter most.
TARAKIHI CONCERNS
First up was tarakihi around the 
country. The most recent stock 
assessments for the east and west 
coast populations show that this 
iconic species is in serious trouble. 
Urgent intervention is required.
Fisheries New Zealand proposed 
significant reductions to both 
commercial catch limits and 
our recreational daily bag limit 
nationwide. Three options 
proposed included slashing 
the tarakihi bag limit from 20 
down to 10, 5 or even 3.
That’s a hefty price we are 
expected to pay considering 
commercial trawlers have been 
responsible for the overfishing of 
tarakihi from our coastal waters.
In the interests of conservation 
and a faster rebuild period, LegaSea, 
the New Zealand Sport Fishing 
Council, NZ Angling & Casting 
and NZ Underwater Association 
submitted a joint statement. 
We supported a reduced daily 
bag limit of five per person for 
tarakihi around the country on 
the condition that the Minister 
also reduces commercial catch 
limits to bycatch-only levels.
Catch limits for butterfish 
at the top of the South Island 
and the west coast were also 
reviewed. There is no formal stock 
assessment, but anecdotal evidence 
suggests butterfish numbers are 
depleting and need a break.
LegaSea is concerned for tarakihi 
with recent stock assessments for 
the east and west coast populations 
show this species is in serious trouble.
Feature
38  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE

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