Anglers urged to ‘have a say’ on fishing rules

26 Feb 2018

Immediate use

Anglers urged to ‘have a say’ on fishing rules

Anglers are being urged to take the opportunity to have a say on Eastern Fish & Game fishing rules that are under review.

The ‘angling rules’ are reviewed every second season by the Eastern Region Fish and Game Council.

Fish & Game Eastern Region Manager Andy Garrick says the ‘rules & regs’ for the 2018-19 fishing season are now being examined and submissions are welcome, “whether you’re a dedicated fly fisher or a casual spin fishing angler.”

“Our sports fishing regulations are off necessity something of a balancing act where we need to set rules to ensure the sustainability of fisheries, but without unnecessarily
restricting angler opportunities,” Mr Garrick says.

The review process is the perfect time for all licence holders to get involved in management of the fisheries and put forward any constructive ideas for changing the rules, he says.

“We would appreciate hearing from you if you have strong views for, or against any of the points.”

Mr Garrick says a number of proposals are on the table, including removal of ‘fly fishing only’ designation from the shoreline areas of Rotorua lakes.

There are a number of fly fishing only areas around the shorelines of Lakes Rotorua, Rotoiti and Tarawera which currently produce some complexity and confusion, “especially for licence holders who would prefer to spin fish.”

“We do expect some forthright discussion on this,” Mr Garrick says, “with plenty of differing views.”

“Fly and spin fishing anglers already co-exist happily for the most part, in areas including Hamurana, Ngongotaha and Waiteti on Lake Rotorua, and the ‘Transformer’ at Lake Rotoiti.

“The bottom line, if you like, is that a key Eastern Council goal is to make the rules easier to follow and get more anglers participating in sports fishing,” Mr Garrick says.

He says Fish & Game has tried to make it as easy as possible to have a say on this and other proposals outlined below.

• Remove ‘Fly Fishing Only’ restrictions from part or all of the Ohau Channel.
• Prohibit angling from an unanchored boat within 200m of a landmark pole.
• Delete Regulation 7.2(c) that prohibits angling from an unanchored boat within 200m of the Kariri Pt. to Stoney Pt. shoreline area on Lake Tarawera.
• Remove the maximum size limit for wild trout on Lake Tarawera.
• Add extra protection under Closed Waters status for any waters where trout are held in captivity for display or management purposes.
• Prohibit the use of multi-point hooks (doubles/trebles, etc) within Eastern Fish & Game Region.

Fish & Game welcomes email submissions to mosborne@fishandgame.org.nz.

If you’d prefer to write, send your comments to: Eastern Region Fish & Game, Private Bag 3010, Rotorua 3046. The deadline is 20 March 2018.
The proposals for the 2018-19 season, will go before a meeting of the Eastern Fish & Game council in June 2018.

If adopted, they would come into effect from 1 October next year.
ends

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