Blue Cod rules change tomorrow for Marlborough Sounds

Applause greeted Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy earlier this year when he announced that the Marlborough Sounds blue cod slot and transit rules would no longer apply from tomorrow, December 20th 2015.

The minister detailed changes to the rules in a meeting attended by about 35 people at the Waikawa Boating Club, in Picton, on Thursday, October 8.

The controversial slot rule meant only fish between 30 and 35 centimetres could be kept, while the transit rule meant people could only transport blue cod through an area if their fish met the regulations of that area, even if they were caught elsewhere.

The new rules set a minimum legal size limit of 33 centimetres, with no maximum size limit. The same set of rules, including a daily bag limit of two blue cod, would apply across both the Marlborough Sounds and the Challenger East area. Having different rules for different areas had created confusion, Guy said. “We want one set of rules that’s easy to understand.”

Commercial fishing would be banned in the Sounds between September 1 and December 19.
“I realise that these changes may have an impact on commercial fishing, although I consider that impact to be negligible.”

A discussion document on recreational fishing parks would be released by the government before Christmas, Guy said. Blue Cod Management Group spokesman Eric Jorgensen said the group had reviewed 230 submissions through the consultation process.

“Overwhelmingly, people wanted simple, equitable and consistent rules across the areas that they fished in.” The rules were a platform to build from, Jorgensen said. “What we’re really hoping is that the fishers can buy into what we’ve put in front of them.”

During a question-and-answer session, Picton resident Mark Baxter challenged Guy on the minimum size limit of 33cm. “I will make a bold forecast – you’ll be back here in three years and the inner Sounds will have collapsed because of this.” 

Picton Business Group Chairman Graham Gosling said he was happy that a decision had been made on the rules. “We can move forward from here; we had to start somewhere and that’s what they’re doing. It’s up to everybody to take the initiative and support it.”

Recreational fisherman Hugh Shields said the announcement by Guy was an acknowledgement that the slot rule had failed. “It was a no-brainer that the slot rule was done away with at this stage.”

Waikawa resident Sheelagh Collingwood said she was sick of throwing back injured or dead fish because of the slot rule. “It’s the wastage that’s just dreadful.”