A lot of New Zealanders see the average state of our fishery solely as the work of commercial fishermen, bottom contact fishing methods and the Quota Management System. These are to blame for a lot of it, but the truth is recreational anglers have a lot to answer for as well.
A statistic that might hit home is that in 2011/12 74% of the kingfish killed in NZ were done so by recreational fishermen, in the Hauraki Gulf this number was 86%. Yes cameras on commercial boats have seen bycatch numbers rise but these aren’t too far off what is actually occurring.
In 2013 an area in Northland was closed to commercial fishing but left open to recreational fishing, a survey carried out found that the snapper numbers in the area decreased. This wasn’t the case however for less desirable fish species, highlighting the fact that this was the work of recreational fishermen.
The aim of this project is to educate and donate. By reading this blog recreational fisherman can hopefully start incorporating more sustainable techniques/practices into their fishing and help spread the word, and by purchasing a lure you are donating directly to organisations that are working towards restoring NZ’s fishery.
Eco Fishing NZ 