Regulars face 'end of an era' as popular wharf fishing spot declared off limits due to health and safety concerns

Port Nikau Wharf closed to Fishermen. 26 January 2017 Northern Advocate photograph by Michael Cunningham

A popular fishing spot off a wharf at Whangarei Harbour has been snagged by health and safety laws casting keen fishers aside.

The wharf at Port Nikau at the end of Port Rd is off limits with new electronic gates and signage declaring fishing from the wharf structure strictly prohibited.

The wharf has been private property for a number of years but those wanting to fish have gone over the manually operated gates at the yard entrance and cast out their lines.

Tikipunga fisherman Marty Wood's heart sank when he saw the new high electronic gates and signage when he tried to go fishing this week. He's been a regular there for 32 years.

"It's an end of an era. When I saw the signs my heart sank. I taught my kids how to fish there," said the 54-year-old.

But greater pressure on businesses to comply with tough health and safety rules meant the company owning Port Nikau erected the electric gates late last year.

Asset manager for Port Nikau Peter Williams said under the regulations the wharf area had been identified as a potential hazard.

"There is a long history of people fishing off there but it's been identified as a hazard. The most prudent thing to alleviate the risk is to shut off the wharf to the public," Mr Williams said.

"There are boats coming in and out at all times of the day. There's traffic movement, there's boat movements and we can't control the public in what is deemed as to be a work place."

The closure could mean pressure on other popular wharf fishing spots.

Mr Wood said he had also been to Onerahi wharf which in summer was crowded and fishers had to share the space with those doing "bombs" into the water.

Another popular spot was near Urquharts Bay. Mr Wood said there was very little parking on a sharp corner which could be dangerous if it became more popular.

"Fishing off a wharf is about teaching kids how to bait a hook, cast a line, and how to be safe around water," Mr Wood said.