Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00a.m.
New fishing rules from October 1 will change the way recreational fishers are allowed to take crayfish.
Recreational fishers gathering crayfish will be able to use lassoes - known as cray-loops - which cause fewer injuries to both soft and hard shell lobsters than hand gathering.
"This is a common-sense and practical change that will help divers catch lobsters while minimising the risk of causing damage to lobsters in the catching process," Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley said today.
But spring-loaded lassoes will be banned because they can damage lobsters and reduce the chances of them surviving on release, he said.
The Taranaki paua fishery will also be opened up next month.
A new minimum legal standard for the Taranaki region will mean recreational divers can now gather paua.
The region's stocks are naturally small and never reach the minimum legal standard of 125mm for paua across the remainder of the country.
The new 85mm size will be a trial between Awakino and Wanganui river mouths. This includes most paua beds within the Taranaki region.
This measure has never been applied before in New Zealand's paua fisheries.
There will be a daily bag limit of 10 paua per fisher.
"At this stage, the fishery will not be opened to commercial fishers, however the option will be explored as part of an ongoing review," Mr Heatley said in a statement.
Plans to soon announce changes to paua limits for recreational fishers, Akaroa Harbour area bag limits, the minimum legal size of flat fish in the Challenger (Nelson area) fishery, and standardising amateur minimum legal net size in the Challenger area, will follow soon.
NZPA
