MPI Fisheries - Marlborough/Canterbury

MPI Fisheries - Marlborough/Canterbury This page is run by MPI for recreational fishers and the local community. If this happens, we may hide your repeated content.

Our job is to help sustainably manage fisheries by working with communities to educate the public and enforce the fishing rules.

*Know the rules*
• Download the FREE NZ Fishing Rules App (the app works without signal or data)
• Find your local fishing rules on our website: www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/
• Pick up a brochure from the office or a local fishi

ng supplies store
• Free text the name of a species to 9889 to get size and bag limits texted to you
• Ring us at the office: www.mpi.govt.nz/contact-us/mpi-fisheries-offices/

*Report illegal fishing*
If you’re out and about and you think that something is happening that shouldn't be, call free on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24). Your calls DO make a difference.

*Community guidelines*
We want to make sure our social media pages are safe for everyone so ask that you please follow our community guidelines. Be respectful
• Don’t make comments that contain offensive, profane, defamatory, threatening, or inappropriate language or intent. This includes language that is racist, sexist, discriminatory, contains potentially harmful advice, or is not accurate.
• Differences of opinion are okay, but comments containing personal attacks towards others, including our employees, will be hidden or deleted.
• If you notice any inappropriate activity, or you're being personally harassed, let us know by direct messaging us. Don’t spam us
• Making the same point repeatedly across the same or different posts is considered spam. Stay on topic
• Only make comments that are relevant to the topic or theme of the post.
• If you disagree with something and make the same point every time we post, or repeatedly post irrelevant content, your comments will be considered spam.
• Don’t post advertisements or solicitations, or use fake accounts or bots to troll our pages. If you have something that you think we might want to share, you can direct message us instead. Protect your own and others’ privacy
• Never post comments containing personal, identifying, sensitive or confidential information. This includes written information as well as photos and videos.
• If we need any details from you, we’ll ask you to direct message us. Personal information shared publicly will be moderated to protect your privacy and the privacy of others.
• By making any contribution to our social media channels – including comments, photos or videos – you’re granting us permission to reuse this content on our channels (e.g., sharing/retweeting a picture). If you have any issues about copyright, you need to talk to us about it as soon as possible. Be aware of the law
• Participating in, suggesting, or encouraging any illegal activity will result in being blocked and you may be reported to the New Zealand Police.
• You are prohibited from posting any videos, images or text referencing criminal activity, or anything that breaches any court orders.
• You are prohibited from posting content that breaches legislation, copyright or intellectual property rights beyond what is protected as fair use.
• You are prohibited from impersonating or leading us to falsely belief that you are someone else or represent a company or brand which you do not. Moderation policy
We encourage feedback, questions and discussion on our social media accounts but ask that you please respect others. We may at our discretion:
• Determine what constitutes inappropriate content;
• Inform you if we remove or edit inappropriate content and give you the opportunity to post revised comments; and
• Block users who breach our community guidelines or Facebook’s terms and conditions of Facebook. If you think behaviour or activity needs to be brought to our attention, we would be grateful if you direct message us. If we block you from our social media channels and you think we’ve made a mistake, contact us on [email protected]

Disclaimer
The content provided on this page is intended to provide accurate information about our work and events in the space that the Ministry for Primary Industries operates in. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information set out on its page is accurate. However, visitors to this page are advised that:
• The information provided does not replace or alter the laws of New Zealand and other official guidelines or requirements;
• MPI does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, for any action taken, or reliance placed, as a result of reading any part, or all, of the information on its page or for any error, inadequacy, deficiency, flaw in or omission from the information provided;
• All links, shared content, and references to other products, websites or organisations are provided for convenience only and are not, and should not be taken as, endorsement of those products, websites or any information contained in those websites; and
• MPI does not necessarily endorse any website or organisation, which has links to any of our websites. Liking, favouriting or sharing information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Biosecurity advice
Advice given through our social media channels is not a guarantee that your goods will be cleared. It’s a guide only and is based on the details you provide and New Zealand’s current import requirements which are subject to change. MPI denies any and all responsibility for any inaccuracy, error, or any other deficiency in this information, and also fully excludes any and all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law of any kind to any person or entity that chooses to rely upon the information. For more information on importation requirements please visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish on Banks Peninsula. Further s...
11/06/2026

New Zealand Food Safety has removed the public health warning against collecting shellfish on Banks Peninsula. Further sampling of shellfish along this coastline has showed that paralytic shellfish toxins are now at safe levels.

For the latest shellfish biotoxin alert info, visit: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/where-unsafe-to-collect-shellfish/shellfish-biotoxin-alerts

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Banks Peninsula due to the risk of paralytic shellfish toxins causing illness.

The warning extends from New Brighton to the northern side of Hickory Bay. As the weather changes, this bloom could spread wider.

Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, p**i, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban and kina (sea urchin).

It’s important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

A visible bloom at the head of Port Levy has extremely high numbers of paralytic shellfish toxin producing algae.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:
• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

For more details, see https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-canterbury

**CONSULTATION** We’re inviting feedback from the local community on two mātaitai reserve applications at Banks Peninsul...
21/05/2026

**CONSULTATION** We’re inviting feedback from the local community on two mātaitai reserve applications at Banks Peninsula, Canterbury:

📍 Te Kaio Mātaitai Reserve extension: Approximately 0.85 km² of South Island fisheries waters in Oashore Bay, Tokoroa Bay, Hikuraki Bay, and Magnet Bay, to be incorporated into the existing Te Kaio Mātaitai Reserve.

📍 Māhērua Mātaitai Reserve: Approximately 39 km² of South Island fisheries waters extending from Te Kaio Mātaitai Reserve (at Tumbledown Bay) to the Akaroa Harbour Taiāpure (at Timutimu Head), out to approximately one nautical mile offshore.

The Wairewa Rūnanga and Fisheries New Zealand will hold local community meetings to discuss the applications:

📅 Tuesday 16 June 2026, 6:00pm
Te Mata Hapuku (Birdling Flat Hall)
157 Poranui Beach Road, Little River 7591

📅 Wednesday 17 June 2026, 6:00pm
Little River Domain Clubrooms
Christchurch - Akaroa Road, Little River 7591

To find out more or have your say, visit: https://bit.ly/4eUF6zx

The closing date for submissions is 5:00pm, Friday 3 July 2026.

Please note that comments on this post do not count as not count as submission

If you’re planning on fishing for blue cod, here are some reminders from the Fisheries New Zealand team to make sure you...
13/05/2026

If you’re planning on fishing for blue cod, here are some reminders from the Fisheries New Zealand team to make sure you catch a feed, not a fine.

A person must not possess any blue cod in New Zealand fisheries waters unless it is whole or gutted, as it must remain measurable and meet the minimum legal size of 33cm. This mean you must not involve severing of the spine or the fleshy bridge (throat) on the underside of the head directly under the gills.

Please remember it is your responsibility as the fisher to ensure any fish in your possession meets the legal requirements.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Port Underwood i...
01/05/2026

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Port Underwood in the Marlborough area due to the presence of toxins.

Routine tests on mussels from Port Underwood have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxin over the safe limit.

The warning extends from north of Robin Hood Bay to Robertson Point and includes the entire Port Underwood area. Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, p**i, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes) and Cook’s turban.

Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Kina and finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

For more information, see https://bit.ly/488Z1FS

The flatfish set-net season is open from 1 April to 30 September. Make sure you’re catching a feed, not a fine. Before h...
29/04/2026

The flatfish set-net season is open from 1 April to 30 September. Make sure you’re catching a feed, not a fine. Before heading out, check your gear and ensure it meets the legal requirements.

Here’s our quick set-net checklist:
✅ Correct mesh size - for flatfish the minimum is 100mm, for rig the minimum is 150mm
✅ Only one set-net and one bait-net per boat
✅ Set-nets must be 60m or less
✅ Bait-nets must be 10m or less
✅ Set-nets must be more than 60m apart
✅ Each end of the net must have a surface float marked with your initials and surname. A contact number is optional, but helpful
✅ Do not stake, stall, or bait set-nets
✅ Know where you can legally set your net

You can stay up to date with the rules by:
📲 using the NZ Fishing Rules App, download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV
🌐 website, here: https://bit.ly/3Pc0d5P
📞 or call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24)

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on a proposed seasonal closure of the Kaikōura rock lobster fisheries. Fisheries ...
13/04/2026

*CONSULTATION* We’re inviting feedback on a proposed seasonal closure of the Kaikōura rock lobster fisheries.

Fisheries New Zealand invites submissions from people who have an interest in the stocks concerned or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

To find out more or have your say, visit: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-kaikoura-rock-lobster-temporary-seasonal-closure

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 18 May 2026.

Please note that comments on this post to not count as submissions.

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Ba...
13/03/2026

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the northern side of Banks Peninsula due to the risk of paralytic shellfish toxins causing illness.

The warning extends from New Brighton to the northern side of Hickory Bay. As the weather changes, this bloom could spread wider.

Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels, oysters, tuatua, p**i, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat’s eyes), Cook’s turban and kina (sea urchin).

It’s important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.

A visible bloom at the head of Port Levy has extremely high numbers of paralytic shellfish toxin producing algae.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:
• numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• dizziness and headache
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea
• paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking.

For more details, see https://www.mpi.govt.nz/news/media-releases/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-canterbury

16/02/2026

Brendan enjoys taking people out boating and while the fishing’s good, it’s not all about that.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

02/02/2026

Kim loves to take her kids out for an after-school boating adventure and get their friends out fishing.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, www.biosecurity.govt.nz/boaties

20/01/2026

Sailing is international racer Brad’s big interest in life. “We’re unbelievably lucky” with the boating opportunities we have here.

For more info on how to help stop the spread of invasive marine pests and protect the incredible marine spaces we all enjoy, https://bit.ly/49FNyiW

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14 Sir William Pickering Drive
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