Fisheries Protection in the Marlborough Sounds

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The Marlborough Sounds Fisheries Management Group has now been constituted into an incorporated society, known as SoundFish.

The first task of the Society will be to explore ways in which the Blue Cod fishery in the Marlborough Sounds can be protected and enhanced and to make representations to the Ministry of Fisheries accordingly. Extensive research into the Blue Cod fishery has been carried out for a number of years and it is plainly evident that the decline in the catchable Blue Cod stock is a result of recreational fishery pressure. SoundFish is currently exploring the following initiatives to protect the fishery.

Area Closures
The closure of a defined area of the Sounds to recreational and commercial fishing for a given period, say three to five years.

Hook Fishing
To restrict the use of traditional hook fishing over Blue Cod grounds and require that fishing be by way of barbless hooks or cod pot only.

Licensing
Individual licenses for all fishers similar to the Fish & Game model.

Stricter Bag Limits and Size Restrictions
Through fisheries regulation.

Please Note: These are only ideas at present and would ultimately need to be introduced as part of an overall fisheries management plan. In the meantime we welcome your comments and ideas.