Thursday 6 December

Changes to recreational set netting regulations will come into effect
on 3 January 2013.

These changes relate to decisions made by the former Minister of
Fisheries, Hon Phil Heatley, in 2011 following a High Court decision.

Recreational fishers will be permitted to use set nets in a small
defined area at the top of the East Coast of the South Island between
1 January and 30 April each year. However, in order to complete the
required administrative steps this year, the amended regulations will
come into effect 3 January 2013.

Scott Gallacher, Acting Director General, MPI says, “Commercial set
netting is already permitted in the area, and this is an extension of
these rights to recreational fishers for the first four months of the
year”.

Recreational set netters will be required to set their nets within
200 metres from the mean high-water mark and must stay with their
nets at all times once the net has been set.

The additional rules for recreational fishers have been designed
carefully to control the risk to Hector’s dolphins. There are no
known populations of Hector’s dolphins in the defined area. The
dolphins may use the area to travel between populations to the north
and south.

MPI staff will monitor the area over the summer months to ensure
compliance with the new rules.

ends

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