MPI Fisheries - Otago/Southland

MPI Fisheries - Otago/Southland This page is run by MPI for recreational fishers and the local community to bring you information about managing and protecting local fisheries.

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. If this happens, we may hide your repeated content. 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

Whether you’re a seasoned local or a first-time visitor, make sure you know the Fiordland fishing rules before you head ...
26/02/2026

Whether you’re a seasoned local or a first-time visitor, make sure you know the Fiordland fishing rules before you head out on the water.

Within the Fiordland Marine Area there are different areas which have different daily limits for some species, and no-take areas for others.

The easiest way to check the rules for where you will be fishing is to download the NZ Fishing Rules App – it’s free and once downloaded it will work even if there’s no mobile phone coverage. Download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

The main areas of the Fiordland Marine Area that have different rules are:

Within the Fiords - this is all waters inshore of the line between the headlands of each Fiord, apart from Milford Sound for which it is the waters east of a straight line between Saint Anne Point and Stripe Point.
• There are reduced daily limits for many species within the Fiords.
• Daily limits within the Fiords are included as part of the maximum daily species and combined finfish bag limit for the Fiordland Marine Area and are not additional.

Internal Waters – these are defined waters within each Fiord. You can see maps showing the Internal Waters on the NZ Fishing Rules app or Fisheries New Zealand website: https://bit.ly/44S8Ze7
• All commercial fishing is banned in the Internal Waters.
• Blue cod pots are not allowed to be used in the Internal Waters.
• There is a reduced daily limit of rock lobster of 3 per person and no take of blue cod is allowed within the Milford Sound Internal Waters.
• No groper/hāpuku take is allowed in any of the Internal Waters.

There are also ten marine reserves within the Fiordland Marine Area which are closed to all fishing.

To find the maps in the NZ Fishing Rules app, from the home screen select More in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, then Closures and Restrictions, and then Fiordland Marine Area.

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

03/02/2026

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

19/01/2026

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

06/01/2026

David has been mad about fishing since he was a kid. He enjoys taking family and friends out – and he wants to protect that for the future.

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

23/12/2025

For many of us, the sea is our happy place, listen to these kiwi boaties talk about, what they love to do when they’re out boating and why our New Zealand marine environment is worth protecting.

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

If you’re heading out to fish in Fiordland this summer, make sure you’re up to date with the fishing rules, whether you’...
18/12/2025

If you’re heading out to fish in Fiordland this summer, make sure you’re up to date with the fishing rules, whether you’re a seasoned local or a first-time visitor.

Within the Fiordland Marine Area there are different areas which have different daily limits for some species, and no-take areas for others.

The easiest way to check the rules for where you will be fishing is to download the NZ Fishing Rules App 👉 https://bit.ly/4p28xkl
It’s free and once downloaded it will work even if there’s no mobile phone coverage.

The main areas of the Fiordland Marine Area that have different rules are:
Within the Fiords - this is all waters inshore of the line between the headlands of each Fiord, apart from Milford Sound for which it is the waters east of a straight line between Saint Anne Point and Stripe Point.
• There are reduced daily limits for many species within the Fiords.
• Daily limits within the Fiords are included as part of the maximum daily species and combined finfish bag limit for the Fiordland Marine Area and are not additional.
Internal Waters – these are defined waters within each Fiord.

You can see maps showing the Internal Waters on the NZ Fishing Rules app or Fisheries New Zealand website 👉 https://bit.ly/44S8Ze7
• All commercial fishing is banned in the Internal Waters.
• Blue cod pots are not allowed to be used in the Internal Waters, and no take of blue cod is allowed within the Milford Sound Internal Waters.
• No groper/hāpuku take is allowed in any of the Internal Waters.

There are also 10 marine reserves within the Fiordland Marine Area which are closed to all fishing.

To find the maps in the NZ Fishing Rules app, from the home screen select More in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, then Closures and Restrictions, and then Fiordland Marine Area.

** Blue cod rule changes **The recreational daily limit changes for blue cod in the Southern Blue Cod Management Area an...
18/12/2025

** Blue cod rule changes **

The recreational daily limit changes for blue cod in the Southern Blue Cod Management Area announced in September came into effect on 2 December, with a new daily limit of 10 per fisher.

The Southern Blue Cod Management Area runs from Taiaroa Head to Sand Hill Point (the southern boundary of the Fiordland Marine Area).

The daily limit was changed following public consultation as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s regular sustainability review. There was also a reduction in the commercial catch limit for blue cod for the east coast South Island which came into force on 1 October.

If you have caught your daily limit, or catch an undersized fish, follow best-practice to give fish you return to the water the best chance of surviving: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/responsiblefishing

Keep up to date with any changes to rules for the area you’re fishing by downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app 👉 https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules

** Lost your crayfish pot? **Fishery Officers removed a crayfish pot from the Holmes Wharf in Oamaru on December 2. If y...
17/12/2025

** Lost your crayfish pot? **

Fishery Officers removed a crayfish pot from the Holmes Wharf in Oamaru on December 2. If you believe this pot to be yours, please contact the Dunedin MPI Office on 03 466 3607. 🦞

** Know your fishing rules **Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on ...
16/12/2025

** Know your fishing rules **

Many Kiwis enjoy their kaimoana - and pāua is often top of the menu. If you’re planning on gathering pāua over the summer and during the festive season, be sure you know the legal daily limit and size that you can take.

It's important to note that the rules can vary depending on where you’re gathering pāua, and in some cases an area may be closed.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable into the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions. By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about during a Fisheries New Zealand inspection or roadside checkpoint.

Catch a feed, not a fine.

** Lost your set net? **Fishery Officers removed a set net from the Rangitata River mouth in South Canterbury on Decembe...
16/12/2025

** Lost your set net? **

Fishery Officers removed a set net from the Rangitata River mouth in South Canterbury on December 7. If you believe this net to be yours, please contact the Dunedin MPI Office on 03 466 3607.

As summer and the holiday season approach, here's a handy guide to the rules of set-net fishing: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/941/direct 🐟

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints durin...
05/12/2025

Fishery Officers will be inspecting your seafood catch on the beaches, wharfs, at sea, and at roadside checkpoints during summer.

We’re reminding you to stop at these roadside checkpoints or risk prosecution, as happened to a Taranaki fisher who was fined $1500 in the Hāwera District Court this week and had his vehicle forfeited to the Crown.

The 33-year-old man was approaching a checkpoint in February in Opunake, which is within the Western Taranaki Temporary Closure Area. He was directed to stop, but instead swerved off the road and accelerated past the checkpoint.

Fishery Officers work hard to protect our shared fisheries and keep them sustainable for the future. If you’re unsure of the rules, download the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will provide you with the latest rules, including closures and restrictions.

📲 Download here: https://bit.ly/47fcaxV

By following these rules, you’ll have nothing to worry about at a Fisheries New Zealand roadside checkpoint.

Address

73 Otaki Street
Dunedin
9054

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+6480040800

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