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A fisher’s guide: New Zealand protected fish and reptiles (PDF, 1,211K)

Summary

This guide describes New Zealand's protected sharks, rays, groupers, turtles, sea snakes and kraits. All these animals occur both inside and outside our waters. Therefore, the guide includes species conservation status assessed both in New Zealand, and globally by the IUCN.

Fishers may encounter these species during their time at sea. Therefore Fisheries New Zealand reporting codes are included, for use when incidental captures occur during commercial fishing.

The animals that feature in this guide are legally protected in New Zealand under the Wildlife Act 1953. Some are also protected outside New Zealand waters. Most are of particular interest to Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and multilateral agreements on conservation or biodiversity.

As a companion to the two seabird guides, this guide continues the "Fisher's guide to" series. Its goal is to help people identify and appreciate some of our lesser known protected marine species. We recognise that fishers are more likely to see these animals than almost all other New Zealanders.

Publication information 

Compiled by J.P. Pierre.

Last updated January 2024.