Summary of whitebait fishing regulations
Whitebaiting on the Mokau River
The Department of Conservation is responsible for managing New Zealand's whitebait fisheries. This can be done more efficiently and effectively with the help and support of whitebait fishers.
This is a summary of the whitebaiting regulations highlighting the main points, and some of the issues affecting the fishery.
Note 1: This information does not relate to the West Coast of the South Island where there are separate whitebait fishing regulations. Information on the West Coast is available separately or contact the Department of Conservation at Hokitika (Ph +64 3 756 8282).
Note 2: This information is a guide only, it has no legal standing, nor does it contain all the rules. Please familiarise yourself with the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 1994 and 1995 amendments. These can be obtained from any Bennetts or Government Bookshop.
Fishing season
All areas of New Zealand except the West Coast of the South Island and the Chatham Islands the season is open from:
15 August and 30 November (inclusive)
The Chathams Islands season runs from:
1 December to the last day of February (inclusive)
The taking of whitebait at other times is prohibited. Fishing is only permitted between 5am and 8pm OR between 6am and 9pm when New Zealand Daylight Saving is being observed.
Fishing gear
Fishing gear includes all nets, screens, lines, devices or things which are used to take whitebait or are capable of being used to take whitebait.
Whitebait nets should not have a mouth larger than 4.5 metres measured on the inside of the net frame; have framing material that is wider than 120mm; or be longer than 3.5m in length.
"Drag net" means any net or part of a net (including any warp, rope, chain, material or device used in conjunction with, or attached to, the net) that a) is weighted on the bottom edge; and b) is operated by surrounding any whitebait and being drawn over the bed of any waters or through any water to the shore.
No person can set or use more than one whitebait net at a time.
No fishing gear should:
- exceed more than one third of the water channel width;
- be used in conjunction with another person to exceed more than one third of the channel width;
- exceed six metres in total length.
Every person who sets or uses a whitebait net must remain within 10 metres of the net. Fishing gear must be removed from the water at the end of fishing or the end of the day, whichever is the earlier.
General
No person shall fish for whitebait within 20m of any tide gate, flood gate, confluence or culvert or fish from any bridge.
No person shall possess whitebait in conjunction with any whitebait net which is not permitted to be used under the whitebait regulations whether or not that net is being used in fishing at the time.
Unlawfully taken fish shall be immediately and carefully returned to the waters from which they were taken.
No person shall discard or dump on shore any fish taken when fishing for whitebait. Nothing in these regulations permits any person fishing for whitebait to interfere with, alter or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary or channel.
Penalties
Persons offending against these regulations may be fined up to $5,000.
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