Fisheries New Zealand urges holiday fishers to download rules app

'[The app] is an important part of your fishing kit.' Photo / Getty Images

As thousands of Kiwis gear up to cast a line over the festive season, Fisheries New Zealand is urging recreational fishers to download the free NZ Fishing Rules app to ensure they’re keeping within sustainable catch limits.

The easy‑to‑use app puts all the latest fishing rules, size limits, and area restrictions at your fingertips — even when you’re out of cellphone range.

“You wouldn’t go fishing without your rod, hooks or other gear, so make sure you have the app on your phone too,” Fisheries New Zealand fisheries compliance director Steve Ham said.

“It’s an important part of your fishing kit that will give you peace of mind that you’re fishing within the rules in place to make sure our fisheries remain sustainable.”

The app has all the rules in one place – daily bag limits, minimum legal sizes, any closures, gear restrictions, and even biotoxin alerts.

“These rules vary by species and area and do change from time to time, so it’s important to stay up to date. Once downloaded, the fishing app will also work in areas where you don’t have cell phone coverage,” Ham said.

Along with the fishing rules app, recreational fishers are encouraged to ask their local fishery officer or pop into their local office.

“Fishery officers and honorary fishery officers will be patrolling the coasts, boat ramps, and at sea throughout the summer period. They’re there to help you. We want your fishing experience to be something to remember for all the right reasons, not because you hooked a fine.

“By following the rules, you’ll also be doing your part in keeping our shared fisheries sustainable so that future generations can also enjoy catching a feed of kaimoana.”

The NZ Fishing Rules app can be downloaded from wherever you get your apps: NZ Fishing Rules app

MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)

-Content supplied by MPI