MPI Fisheries - Nelson/West Coast

MPI Fisheries - Nelson/West Coast This page is run by MPI for fishers and the local community to bring you information about how we work to manage and protect local fisheries.

Our job is to help sustainably manage fisheries by working with communities to educate the public and enforce the fishing rules.

*Know the rules*
• Download the FREE NZ Fishing Rules App (the app works without signal or data)
• Find your local fishing rules on our website: www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/
• Pick up a brochure from the office or a local fishi

ng supplies store
• Free text the name of a species to 9889 to get size and bag limits texted to you
• Ring us at the office: www.mpi.govt.nz/contact-us/mpi-fisheries-offices/

*Report illegal fishing*
If you’re out and about and you think that something is happening that shouldn't be, call free on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24). Your calls DO make a difference.

*Community guidelines*
We want to make sure our social media pages are safe for everyone so ask that you please follow our community guidelines. Be respectful
• Don’t make comments that contain offensive, profane, defamatory, threatening, or inappropriate language or intent. This includes language that is racist, s*xist, discriminatory, contains potentially harmful advice, or is not accurate.
• Differences of opinion are okay, but comments containing personal attacks towards others, including our employees, will be hidden or deleted.
• If you notice any inappropriate activity, or you're being personally harassed, let us know by direct messaging us. Don’t spam us
• Making the same point repeatedly across the same or different posts is considered spam. If this happens, we may hide your repeated content. Stay on topic
• Only make comments that are relevant to the topic or theme of the post.
• If you disagree with something and make the same point every time we post, or repeatedly post irrelevant content, your comments will be considered spam.
• Don’t post advertisements or solicitations, or use fake accounts or bots to troll our pages. If you have something that you think we might want to share, you can direct message us instead. Protect your own and others’ privacy
• Never post comments containing personal, identifying, sensitive or confidential information. This includes written information as well as photos and videos.
• If we need any details from you, we’ll ask you to direct message us. Personal information shared publicly will be moderated to protect your privacy and the privacy of others.
• By making any contribution to our social media channels – including comments, photos or videos – you’re granting us permission to reuse this content on our channels (e.g., sharing/retweeting a picture). If you have any issues about copyright, you need to talk to us about it as soon as possible. Be aware of the law
• Participating in, suggesting, or encouraging any illegal activity will result in being blocked and you may be reported to the New Zealand Police.
• You are prohibited from posting any videos, images or text referencing criminal activity, or anything that breaches any court orders.
• You are prohibited from posting content that breaches legislation, copyright or intellectual property rights beyond what is protected as fair use.
• You are prohibited from impersonating or leading us to falsely belief that you are someone else or represent a company or brand which you do not. Moderation policy
We encourage feedback, questions and discussion on our social media accounts but ask that you please respect others. We may at our discretion:
• Determine what constitutes inappropriate content;
• Inform you if we remove or edit inappropriate content and give you the opportunity to post revised comments; and
• Block users who breach our community guidelines or Facebook’s terms and conditions of Facebook. If you think behaviour or activity needs to be brought to our attention, we would be grateful if you direct message us. If we block you from our social media channels and you think we’ve made a mistake, contact us on [email protected]

Disclaimer
The content provided on this page is intended to provide accurate information about our work and events in the space that the Ministry for Primary Industries operates in. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information set out on its page is accurate. However, visitors to this page are advised that:
• The information provided does not replace or alter the laws of New Zealand and other official guidelines or requirements;
• MPI does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, for any action taken, or reliance placed, as a result of reading any part, or all, of the information on its page or for any error, inadequacy, deficiency, flaw in or omission from the information provided;
• All links, shared content, and references to other products, websites or organisations are provided for convenience only and are not, and should not be taken as, endorsement of those products, websites or any information contained in those websites; and
• MPI does not necessarily endorse any website or organisation, which has links to any of our websites. Liking, favouriting or sharing information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Biosecurity advice
Advice given through our social media channels is not a guarantee that your goods will be cleared. It’s a guide only and is based on the details you provide and New Zealand’s current import requirements which are subject to change. MPI denies any and all responsibility for any inaccuracy, error, or any other deficiency in this information, and also fully excludes any and all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law of any kind to any person or entity that chooses to rely upon the information. For more information on importation requirements please visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz

17/02/2026

Brendan enjoys taking people out boating and while the fishing’s good, it’s not all about that.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

03/02/2026

Kim loves to take her kids out for an after-school boating adventure and get their friends out fishing.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

20/01/2026

Sailing is international racer Brad’s big interest in life. “We’re unbelievably lucky” with the boating opportunities we have here.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, https://bit.ly/49FNyiW

07/01/2026

David has been mad about fishing since he was a kid. He enjoys taking family and friends out – and he wants to protect that for the future.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

24/12/2025

For many of us, the sea is our happy place, listen to these kiwi boaties talk about, what they love to do when they’re out boating and why our New Zealand marine environment is worth protecting.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

A reminder to Marlborough Sounds fishers this summer – the closed season for blue cod has been extended and now runs thr...
19/12/2025

A reminder to Marlborough Sounds fishers this summer – the closed season for blue cod has been extended and now runs through to 10 January (inclusive).

This gives the fishery more time to rest and recover. You can help protect this important fishery, both during the closure and once fishing resumes, by minimising disturbance to blue cod where possible.

We’ve got tips on fishing sustainably, handling and releasing blue cod, and techniques to prevent predation from s**gs here: www.mpi.govt.nz/marlborough-blue-cod

To keep up to date with the latest rules, including closure boundaries and daily limits, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app 👉 https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules

Photo: Tony and Jenny Enderby

** Know your fishing rules **Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on ...
16/12/2025

** Know your fishing rules **

Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on gathering pāua over the summer and during the festive season, be sure you know the legal daily limit and size that you can take.

It's important to note that the rules can vary depending on where you’re gathering pāua, and in some cases an area may be closed.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable into the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions. By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about during a Fisheries New Zealand inspection or roadside checkpoint.

Catch a feed, not a fine.

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints durin...
06/12/2025

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints during summer.

We’re reminding you to stop at these roadside checkpoints or risk prosecution, as happened to a Taranaki fisher who was fined $1500 in the Hāwera District Court this week and had his vehicle forfeited to the Crown.

The 33-year-old man was approaching a checkpoint in February in Opunake, which is within the Western Taranaki Temporary Closure Area. He was directed to stop, but instead swerved off the road and accelerated past the checkpoint.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable for the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions.

📲 Download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about at a Fisheries New Zealand roadside checkpoint.

🚫 Marlborough Sounds Set Net Restrictions 🐟Set netting in the inner Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound is prohibit...
07/10/2025

🚫 Marlborough Sounds Set Net Restrictions 🐟

Set netting in the inner Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound is prohibited between 1 October and 31 March each year.

Anyone caught using a set net during this period may face a fine of up to $10,000.

Always check the current rules before heading out or contact Fisheries New Zealand for more information. You can download the Fishing Rules App for the latest info at your fingertips. Download here: https://bit.ly/3uEnVLA

You can report any suspicious or illegal fishing activity to us by:
📞 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24)
📧 [email protected]

You may see the research vessel RV Ikatere (pictured) operating in the Marlborough Sounds over the next month. If so giv...
01/10/2025

You may see the research vessel RV Ikatere (pictured) operating in the Marlborough Sounds over the next month. If so give them a wave, they’re conducting important research on blue cod which will support future fisheries management decisions.

The research has been contracted by Fisheries New Zealand to Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) and will use a method called potting surveys. These are conducted in the area roughly every four years, to gather data on abundance trends, size, age, and s*x of the local blue cod population, which informs sustainability measures and fishing rules.

Part of the survey will include potting in Long Island Marine Reserve and the Maud Island Closed Area to compare results from unfished areas. Previous surveys have shown considerably more and larger blue cod in non-fished areas. Blue cod caught in these areas are measured and counted with minimal handling and returned alive using a release tube to avoid s**g predation.

📷: Earth Sciences New Zealand / David Plew

New rules for the Makaawhio Mātaitai come into force today, 1 October 2025. The Makaawhio Mātaitai reserves are a networ...
30/09/2025

New rules for the Makaawhio Mātaitai come into force today, 1 October 2025.

The Makaawhio Mātaitai reserves are a network of nine mātaitai near Haast, which were established in 2011 and 2012. The locations of the nine mātaitai are:
📍 Okarito Lagoon
📍 Manakaiaua/Hunts Beach
📍 Mahitahi/Bruce Bay
📍 Paringa (Knights Point to Buttress Point)
📍 Tauparikaka (Tauperikaka Point to Fox Creek outlet)
📍 Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands
📍 Okuru/Mussel Point
📍 Okahu/Jackson Bay
📍 Tauneke/Barn Bay

The rules are different for each of the Makaawhio Mātaitai, but include reduced daily catch limits for some species, a 70 mm maximum tail width for spiny rock lobster, prohibitions on taking seaweed and some shellfish, and the introduction of vessel limits.

Fisheries New Zealand wants to thank the tāngata tiaki, kaitiaki, local communities, and everyone who submitted as part of the public consultation on these bylaws.

You can view the rules, and maps of each mātaitai, on MPI’s website: https://bit.ly/4nqYAwV

A commercial fisher who trawled in a marine reserve has been fined $15,000.Kelly Gavin Scoles (37) appeared for sentenci...
12/09/2025

A commercial fisher who trawled in a marine reserve has been fined $15,000.

Kelly Gavin Scoles (37) appeared for sentencing through audio visual link at Kaikohe District Court yesterday on one charge under the Marine Reserves Act and one under the Fisheries Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

In May last year, Mr Scoles, who was master of the fishing vessel Winbill, deployed a bottom trawl net about 1.6 km outside the Kahurangi Marine Reserve, off the northwest coast of the South Island. He then towed the trawl through the entire length of the 16km reserve.

Fisheries New Zealand uses GPS to monitor all commercial fishers in near real time to ensure they are fishing where they are legally able to.

Mr Scoles landed about 700kg of finfish, including gurnard, snapper, rig, john dory and various other species. The total commercial value was $1502, and Mr Scoles was also ordered to pay that amount for damage to the marine reserve.

In addition to fishing in a marine reserve, Mr Scoles also failed to submit 27 out of 47 catch reports on time between March and May 2024.

Fisheries New Zealand encourages people to report suspected illegal activity to the ministry's 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 476 224).

Address

118 Vickerman Street
Port Nelson
7010

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+64800008333

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