Marlborough blue cod fishing to start in April

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Recreational fishers will be able to resume catching blue cod from the Marlborough Sounds from April next year, the Government announced today.

The Ministry of Fisheries banned recreational catches of blue cod in October 2008 to address a local drop in numbers, with fishing to resume in October 2012.

However, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley announced an earlier reopening of the fishery today, saying fishing would resume on April 1 and finish on August 31.

Thereafter, the season would run from December 20 to August 31 annually.

"I always supported lifting the 2008 closure early as long as I could be assured blue cod can be fished in a sustainable way," Mr Heatley said.

"I'm confident that the management measures put in place will ensure the long-term sustainability of the fishery."

As well as the limited fishing season, the key elements of the management plan included limiting catches to two blue cod per person per day, strict fishing size limits, and the introduction of a no-take zone around Maud Island.

There would be ongoing monitoring and research about catch information, as well as independent abundance surveys every three years.

"These measures are designed to ensure the sustainability of blue cod for years to come and be easy for fishers to remember and Fishery Officers to enforce. I am sure that the many hundreds of recreational fishers who catch the bulk of blue cod in the Sounds understand better than anyone the value of measures designed to protect the future of blue cod fishing," Mr Heatley said.

Until the fishery reopened, any blue cod caught accidentally in the closed area must be returned to the sea straight away, Mr Heatley said.

- NZPA