Bay boaties are being reminded to check the rules before they head out for a fish this Labour Weekend.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) stated people could face serious penalities if they break penalities if they break fisheries laws. MPI fishery officers were regularly on the water, on the beach or at the boat ramp, chatting to fishers and checking catches.
Fishermen and women should be asking themselves "is my catch legal?", because that is what MPI fishery officers will be asking, MPI stated.
The rules were different for different areas so people should check the rules before they go fishing if they were travelling to a different part of the country.
There were a variety of free channels people could use to check the rules:
· Information of all limits and sizes including closures and other rules can be found on the MPI website www.mpi.govt.nz.
· Download the NZ Fishing Rules App for smartphones or free text 9889 to have it sent to your phone
· Free-text the name of the species you are fishing to 9889 for the size and limits
· Visit a local office
· Pick up a brochure from a fishing shop.