| New Zealand offers superb
saltwater fishing in many coastal areas with the catch varying according
to the location. Surfcasting, rock fishing or fishing from a chartered
fishing boat are all good options. |
| Locations |
| Areas where sea fishing is popular
include the the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Doubtless Bay, the Bay of
Plenty, Marlborough Sounds, and Southland. Game fishing bases are
to be found in Whangaroa, Russell, Tutukaka and Tauranga. |
| The catch |
| In the north:
Snapper, kingfish, marlin or tarakihi.
In the far south: Blue cod, trumpeter and grouper. |
| Time of year |
| Saltwater fishing in New Zealand is
usually best in summer and autumn. |
| Regulations |
| There is no licence fee for sea fishing,
but strict regulations apply to saltwater fishing methods, maximum
catches, fishing seasons and prohibited areas. Specific rules also
apply to gathering shellfish. It is forbidden to sell or trade your
catch. Breaking the sea fishing regulations, including those governing
the collection of wild shellfish, is totally unacceptable and can
result in heavy fines and even imprisonment. Please see the Ministry
of Fisheries website for marine recreational fishing guidelines
and regulations. |
| Should there be a permit for recreational
fishing? |
| A
student named Izaak who is a 14 year old student at Tauranga Boys'
College has raised an important question that he would like to hear
your opinion on.
He poses the question as to whether there should
be a permit or licence similar to that used in fresh water fishing
that applies to the salt water angler. Should people who want to
fish in the sea also have to buy an annual licence? Izaak is concerned
about declining fish stocks and is wanting to do something about
it. Please take a moment to view
his post as Izaak would love to hear your opinion on this very
important and far reaching question. So if you have an opinion on
this, take a moment and reply and share your thoughts. |
| Tourism and travel
service directories |
 |
Pure
New Zealand: Saltwater Fishing
Information and listings at the official New
Zealand tourism site, www.newzealand.com |
 |
New
Zealand Tourism Online: Saltwater Fishing
An introduction and directory with links to deep
sea and big game fishing services from New Zealand Tourism Online. |
 |
Destination
New Zealand: Fishing and Hunting
A brief introduction to fishing and hunting and
a directory of products and services. |
| Fisheries management,
guidelines and regulations |
 |
Ministry
of Fisheries: Marine recreational fishing
The recreational fishing section of the Ministry
of Fisheries website includes information about:
- limits for each of the fishery management areas
- popular species
- line fishing guidelines
- daily limits guidelines
- downloadable brochures
- important notices including changes to fishing rules
- updates on the shared fisheries consultation process |
 |
DOC:
Marine Reserves
Marine reserves are protected areas of the sea
and foreshore that are managed by the Department of Conservation
(DOC) to preserve them in their natural state as the habitat of
marine life for scientific study.
Within a marine reserve, all marine life is protected
and fishing and the removal or disturbance of any living or non-living
marine resource is prohibited. |
 |
New
Zealand Big Game Fishing Council
The umbrella organisation for New Zealand's big game fishing clubs.
Maintains records and runs competions. Affilitated with the IGFA,
the world body of gamefishing. Member clubs provide weighing and
recording facilities. |
| Charts |
 |
LINZ
Hydrographic Services
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is the authoritative
provider of New Zealand hydrographic services and the main source
of LINZ hydrographic information for mariners.
The LINZ Hydrographic Services website provides:
- Mariners notices
- Nautical charts
- List of chart
retailers
- Nautical publications
- Tidal information
- New Zealand Lights List
- Astronomical information
- Maritime safety information |
| Weather forecasts |
 |
MetService
New Zealand's National Meteorological Service
provides:
- MetService
Coastal Forecasts
- Weather
warnings |
 |
SwellMap
SwellMap offers free 24 hour and 7-day coastal
and off-shore forecasts using MetOcean's wave and wind forecasting
system.
More detailed forecasts are available by subscription |
| Boat safety |
 |
Maritime
New Zealand
Maritime New Zealand is responsible for promoting
maritime safety and environmental protection to the entire maritime
community, including recreational boaties. |
 |
New
Zealand Coastguard
The Royal New Zealand Coastguard provides New
Zealand's primary maritime Search and Rescue service. Coastguard
operates from a network of 4 regions and 65 affiliated units, strategically
located around the coastline and major lakes of New Zealand. Manned
by volunteers, its services include:
- 24 hour communications centres
- 24 hour search and rescue service
- Continuous weather reporting
- Trip reporting
- Boating Education Courses
- VHF repeaters
- Nowcasting Service
- Boating Buddy service |
 |
Coastguard,
Northern Region
Coastguard Northern Region provides a range
of services for the boating public including Search and Rescue (SAR)
and annual education cruises. Courses run include:
- RYA Practical Boating Courses
- Day Skipper Certificate
- Boatmasters Certificate
- Coastal Skipper
- Ocean Yachtmaster
- Outboard Engine Maintenance
- Diesel Engine Maintenance
- VHF Operator |
| Online fishing
magazines |
 |
fishingmag.co.nz
New Zealand's online fishing magazine |
 |
Fish
with Bish
Stories, articles, tips and tricks, on fishing
in freshwater and saltwater. |
 |
The
Fishing Website
Information about New Zealand fishing from striped
marlin and yellowtail kingfish fisheries to recreational fishing
for snapper, kahawai, terakihi, trevally, blue cod, john dory, gurnard,
trout and salmon |
| Fishing magazines
(print) |
 |
fishnz.co.nz
The site of New Zealand's leading fishing magazines:
New Zealand Fishing News and Fish & Game New Zealand. |
 |
NZ
Fishing World
The website of NZ Fishing World magazine |
| Books, maps and
guides |
 |
SpotX
SpotX publications specialize in publishing books,
charts, maps, and how-to booklets about recreational fishing and
hunting. |
| Fishing goods and
services |
 |
Picot's
New Zealand Charter Guide
Charter Guide lists more than 230 New Zealand
charter boats and enables you to contact any boat charter operator
direct to make your own arrangements. Alternatively, consult Picot's
advisory service for free expert assistance on 0800 235628. |
 |
Paul's
Fishing Kites
Online shop plus information abut fishing knots
and fishing rigs and |
 |
Fish
City
A wide range of fishing tackle and accessories
at competitive prices is available from Fish City in Auckland and
Hamilton, or via online ordering. |
 |
Fishing
Merchants
New Zealand's total online fishing tackle shop
|
 |
Fishingpro
New Zealand
All your fishing, guiding and boating requirements
are met with a dependable, friendly and professional service. |
 |
Marine
Deals
Marine Deals specialises in hot promotions, excess
stock, and clearance products.
|
