Shared Fisheries discussion document - charter catch reporting

Charter boat operators in the top of the South island have found some support for the proposed reporting of customers catches as outlined in the Shared Fisheries discussion document.

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Some charter boat operators in the top of the South Island say proposed changes requiring them to report on their clients' catches are needed, but will be another cost for them to bear.

The Government's Shared Fisheries discussion document contains a proposal for charter boat operators to be registered and regularly report on the catch and effort by amateur fishers on their boats.

The information would be used to monitor fishing pressure at popular sites, so management action could be taken if necessary to protect vulnerable species such as groper.

Under the proposal there would probably be a charge for charter boat registration to offset administration costs.

Submissions on the discussion document have closed. The Ministry of Fisheries is expected to release the results of submission analysis at the end of this month.