Fishing license increases

The Central South Island Fish and Game Council is increasing license fees this season from $7 to $82 for fishing, and hunting fees will increase to $68 from $2 the previous year

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 Long time anglers are complaining about the fee hike, as they believe they get nothing for their money. Angler Des O'Rourke believes the fee may be fair in the North Island were hatcheries replenish fish stocks but not in South Island.              

The Central South Island Fish and Game Council however is not apologetic for the increase, as it wanted them to be $100 each. CSIFAG councillor Jay Graybill justified the cost as minimal compared to other sports such as skiing and golf and believes the cost of a licence should reflect the value to the angler.

New Zealand Fish and Game has steadily been increasing fees since 1999 due to legal and environmental costs such as the $1 million dirty dairy campaign.