Don’t be part of the catch

Officials are reminding recreational divers to ‘catch a feed, not a fine’ and stay aware of the fishing rules in their area. To stay up to date with rules and notifications, Fisheries New Zealand acting director of fisheries compliance Niamh Murphy recommended downloading the NZ Fishing Rules app. “There are catch and size limits as well as rules for the kind of gear you’re allowed to use,” Murphy said. “These rules vary by species and area and do change from time to time, so it’s important to stay up to date.” Fishery Officers will be patrolling the coasts this summer and are there to offer advice. To report any suspicious fishing phone 0800 4 POACHER or email [email protected]. This includes poaching or illegal activity online, such as being offered fish for sale through social media platforms such as Facebook. PHOTO/SUPPLIED