Editorial: Fishing limits are complex

Proposed changes to recreational fishing bag limits were always going to go down like a rotten pilchard left in the sun too long.

Especially changes proposed around snapper - the most popular species targeted by recreational fishers.

At the moment, the minimum size is 28cm and the bag limit is 9. An odd amount.

I am a part-time recreational fisher. Personally, I have never taken home my bag limit.

For our family of four, six good sized snapper - let's say around 40cm to 45cm - would give us an evening meal for two to three days. So, I am comfortable with, let's say a bag limit of six fish.

Fishing is regarded as a God given right in Northland. Historically, we have also assumed it is heavenly intervention that takes care of the quality of the water our fish swim in. However, in recent years we have begun taking more responsibility for our water quality, especially in the Bay of Islands and Whangarei Harbour - two huge snapper fisheries.

It is logical that we also acknowledge that we need to do something about sustaining the life of our fish. But is the answer within the options proposed?

I feel they are too complex. The discussion document alone for snapper is 82 pages long.

There are a mixture of options - x number of fish X size, then x number of slightly bigger fish. Your average fisher wants to be able to count the number of fish in their bin and go home. If it is our grandchildren and their children we are thinking about, where are the options that prevent the 20 pounders (9kg) from being taken. They are trophy fish only - they are not good table fish, and are important breeding stock. So my submission on the proposals will ask for zero take on 20 pounders and over.

As for the complaints that the commercial fisheries are not taking their cut, it's a fair point. Recreational fishers do not kill undersize fish in large volumes, or dump fish when they net too many. Head to the Old Library in Rust Ave, Whangarei, at 6pm on Thursday to have your say.