Nelson - Marlborough scallop season opens

Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley is calling on scallop fishers to follow the rules when they go fishing in the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman and Golden Bays.

The recreational season for gathering scallops in these areas starts today.

“Fishers need to make sure they know the bag limits, size limits and seasons before they go fishing,” Mr Heatley said.

The minimum legal size for scallops in the Challenger area (see below) is 90mm measured across the widest part of the shell.

The legal bag limit for scallops is 50 per fisher per day. In addition, divers are entitled to take an extra daily bag for each of up to two safety people on board a boat – provided they are acting as safety people for the divers.

Otherwise, only those actively involved in fishing are entitled to a daily bag limit. For scallop dredgers, this means those who are actively involved in deploying or hauling the dredge.

“Stick to the minimum size limits; they are carefully set to make sure there will be enough scallops left for the future,” Mr Heatley said.

“Taking undersized scallops removes the mothers and babies before they have had a chance to spawn.

“Only take what you need, fish for a feed and not to fill the freezer. The bag limits are set to make sure there will be scallops around to catch in future years.”

Fishery officers and honorary fishery officers will be patrolling and inspecting scallop catches. Fines of $250 to $500 per offence can be imposed on fishers who ignore the rules. Serious breaches can result in confiscation of diving gear, boats and vehicles.

“Fishery officers have the job of protecting our fish stocks for future generations; they don’t want to write tickets, but if you ignore the rules you leave them no alternative,” Mr Heatley said.

“If you see people taking more than their fair share, you should report them to fishery officers by calling 0800 4 POACHER. They are stealing from you and from future generations.”

The scallop season will close on 14 February next year. The closure allows scallops to spawn without being disturbed.

The Challenger Fishery Management area stretches from Awarua Point (south of Haast) on the West Coast of the South Island to Clarence River on the East Coast of the South Island including Golden Bay, Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds.

Further information on the rules for recreational fishing in the Challenger Area is available on the Ministry of Fisheries website at: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/Challenger+Area/default.htm