• Finding the boundary - new Paua App set to make it easier - pg 11
• Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awardsapply now - pg 14
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard
To inspect the dog tucker thawing there…
Dammit, the dog tucker was still frozen solid in a nine-piecepack. It’s not that I’d been unorganised, it had been out of the freezer for three days already, but those mid-winter days had been bitterly cold. With nine active pig dogs to cater for I found the situation appalling. The chilly conditions meant the dogs’ calorie intake should be greater, not less. Now they would have to make do with dry rations, but by tomorrow they would need more than a stale biscuit and an apology to see them through.
Old Mother Hubbard went to another cupboard
Unlocked it and withdrew a rifle from there,
That old woman knew just what was required,
She had to hunt and locate a critter not-yet expired.
The pressure was now on to provide for my canine charges, but Mother Nature was anything other than helpful. During the night an easterly front had trundled ashore from the coastline. The frost-bitten backcountry hills, habitat of dogtucker-on-the-hoof, were now well hidden amongst low cloud and light rain, conditions known by old-timers as "Scotch mist".
Despite the miserable situation, I began hunting with two things in my favour. One was a dogged determination to prevail and succeed, the other was my Hikmicro thermal binoculars.
As the drizzle drifted downward and the cloud snuggled itself tight against the geography, I heard a splash in the creek below me. Two mature stags had scented me and were making a rapid getaway towards heavy cover. At just 70 metres they should have been an
Going to the Dogs
easy score, despite galloping like steeds in the Melbourne Cup.
The rifle scope proved to be my downfall, and not theirs. The clouds might as well have holed up and taken a nap in either end of the damned thing. So much for the scope producer’s hype and so much to for the coating I’d applied before leaving home. Neither were really the solution for fogging problems that I had hoped for.
I performed a wee haka and said a few choice words regarding both items but neither activity got a deer dead or the dogs fed. Move along Mother Hubbard, move along!
Kim Swan
my armpits and my furrowed brow. Salt-laden sweat and drizzle combined, pausing momentarily in my eyebrows before finding their way downward via the wrinkles on my face. They then cascaded o the point of my chin before trickling down into the never-never of cleavage, belly button and beyond. Eventually they cumulated in my rubber boots, which squelched and farted with every upwards step.
Guestimating location, I paused beforehand and rubbed that troublesome rifle scope front and rear like I was expecting a genie to appear and grant me a wish. Then
Move I did and before long the thermal binoculars penetrated the saturated atmosphere and ‘bingo.’
High on the hillside across the creek were a handful of illuminated dots moving willy-nilly. Below them, in a fold of the gully was another dot standing still. Because the face was steep, and because I am energye cient (aka lazy), targeting the bottom dot became my preferred course of action.
Ooooh, the creek, draining a catchment of permafrost and a range of snowy tops, was notably icier than the chill easterly wind and precipitation.
Aaaah, the zaggazig ascent immediately afterwards quickly warmed the cockles of my heart, and
The Fishing Paper & Hunting News
I squelch-farted none too stealthily forward and saw in the gloom ahead not one but two vague deer shapes - boy-deer shapes - thick necks, big bodies, antlers.
Bum down, rifle up, I shot the senior stag first and noted his trajectory before reloading and swinging onto his buddy. The younger stag made the mistake of running then pausing. He wouldn’t do that twice, a fatal error of judgement on his behalf.
Was I feeling smug now? Hell no, two stags very recently deceased was only one third of the way towards a win on the dog tucker front. Now there was the small matter of getting them down to the 4x4 track far below. The
route was boulder-strewn and hazardous and both individuals, even disembowelled and prepped, weighed more than I did – despite my boots brimming with salt-laden sweat and rainwater!
And then? Aha, then - the ‘then’ after I had walked back and returned with my ute. The ‘then’ as each stag was awkwardly assisted from ground zero to bedecked - that heave, shove, fail and fall back again and again till eventually I triumphed. One stag, then two, lifted bodily onto the deck of the truck. The tailgate - shoulder against it, latches forced down - was finally closed and my freight ready for transport homewards.
The job was still incomplete but old Mother Hubbard now had two deer in her cupboard and dog tucker for the morrow. Thanks to the thermal binoculars, I had prevailed. Without them I’d still be walking in the rain, searching fruitlessly in poor visibility –dogged determination was more likely to have got me pneumonia than a deck full of protein and doggy chews.
The mutts have no clue of my quest on their behalf. While I sloshed about, squelched and farted uphill and down - then heaved and failed - and then heaved and failed again – and then heaved and, eventually, won. They lay sleeping, dreaming and twitching in their kennels as the drizzle wafted down, and the easterly wind blew cold.
Perhaps they dreamed of sunshine or pig hunting, perhaps they dreamed of me, but more likely they dreamed of food.
Tomorrow they would eat their fill before sleeping deeply once more. Later, hours later, they’d evacuate their bowels – a portion of today’s hard work digested. and diminished, dropped like a turd on the tundra, and without a backwards glance. The cycle of life, with me as the middle-ma’am, goes on for another week.
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Monster in May
It was a calm autumn morning, the first weekend of May, up early to get to spot x to try finish the season with a stunner. Blasting out the cut we head north with low expectations - it’s late season, our big snapper spot had stopped producing the weekend before with only spiny fishy dogs. Nevertheless, we continue, knowing that if there’s a chance of a big fish, it’s there.
After 45 minutes of cruising on a mostly flat sea, we arrive. Dropping our baits down, it isn’t long before we get some action. After a decent fight, a solid 55cm kahawai is hauled from the depths. Given the luck of our previous trip, we knock it on the head, bleed it, and put it on ice. After rebaiting my hooks, I drop the line back down ready for something bigger, and after a few seconds my rod bends over closely followed by Mum's then Dad's. As we bring them up, the fish have the brilliant idea to tangle all around the other line and the burley. After untangling the cheeky kahawai and chucking them back, we noticed something out the back of the boat.
Jasper Brennan
A 7-8 foot mako shark cruises past the outboard, hungry for a feed. Two rods go o again; Mum’s then mine. As I tighten the drag to bring up what I think is another kahawai,
I notice the line keeps going out. I apply a little more drag, no di erence, this isn’t just some keen kahawai. After two minutes this fish still hasn’t stopped, I fear I might
have hooked the mako. However, after it’s taken 30 meters of line, I get some back - whatever this is it isn’t the mako. After the others finish dealing with their fish, they come over to me expecting mine to be at the boat ready to land. “You almost there?” Dad asks. “Almost back to where I started,” I replied.
I’m in a race now, me vs the mako, the winner getting this trophy fish. After another couple minutes this fish still hadn’t given up. I wonder if this isn’t a snapper, as the pressure normally makes them fight-less after they get far enough from the bottom. As the fight nears the end the fish makes one last dash under the boat, I plunge the tip of my rod into the water, I can feel the braid rubbing against the chine and vee of the boat, and it’s heading right to the burley rope! After manoeuvring myself around the boat, Dad manages to net the fish. “It’s a big one” he says as he lifts it into the boat. I realize what I’ve got - my first 20lb snapper. As I stand back in happiness, I look beside the boat. The beat mako shark cruises past, close but no cigar.
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Kings Birthday Duck Hunt
King’s Birthday long weekend meant it was the perfect time to get out for a hunt, and my first since opening weekend. It is also the first weekend of three we can hunt pheasants down in North Canterbury.
A quick virtual reccie on google maps revealed some stretches of river that might hold pheasants. I chose a promising spot on the Rakaia River.
I head south to the river and find the spot easily. While getting set up, I noticed a couple of people and their dog walking towards me.
I say hi as a precaution to see where they are headed, and if they are also going for a hunt. Turns out they were just walking their dog and they tell me where they were going, so I go the other way.
They mentioned there are a few pheasants living around their house, but they quite like them there, so hunting them is out of the question. I had hope there might be birds around the river, so I keep going.
I plan to head downstream along the river margins, which are covered in broom and gorse, likely places that might hold a pheasant or two. Then go back upstream along the edge of the river to see if any ducks were hiding out to flush.
Walking through the broom and gorse is always interesting, and Ace gets excited a couple of times. However, nothing is flushed out for the two or three kilometres as we
Gareth Faulkner
tramp downstream.
We come to where the Rakaia River pushed up to the boundary of farmland having seen no pheasants. There is a decent amount of water flowing, so I decided not to cross.
It is time to head back upstream to see if any ducks are hiding out for me.
After a few 100 metres, Ace and I flush a duck out, but I don't get a shot. If I did shoot it, the duck would
food recipes with Marcus
have dropped into the main river flow, which is moving swiftly, making the retrieve unlikely by the time Ace is chasing it.
We walk about another 500 metres, and from there I could see a duck sitting just o the water’s edge. I suspected this is the same one I had already flushed, and it looks nervous.
I mark where on the river the duck is sitting by looking at the trees. Heading away from the river so the duck couldn’t see us, I sneak to where it was, but I am about 20 metres short. I couldn’t get a clean shot.
I quickly crouched down and wait to see what it does. The duck turned around and came back over to land in the river. My first two shots missed, but I reset myself for the third and my final round. I pulled the trigger just as the duck went into the sun, but I saw its wings spread dead in the air.
Ace marks it well and goes straight to the point for a retrieve in the willows on the edge of the water. Just after the shot, I hear a side-by-side coming up the river, but it turns out to be a jet boat. I timed it well to get that duck before they arrived and scared everything away, so that signified the end of my hunt.
It was only a small hunt, but it's great to get out and stretch the legs for a few hours. Always nice when a hunt isn’t just a walk.
Curried hogget with noodles,seasonal vegetables and crispy shallots
I love a bit of tasty home kill , lamb that have been left in the paddock to develop flavour that seems to have all but disappeared from the supermarket shelves these days.
Here’s a simple little dish that can be prepared in 15 minutes and if you don’t have lamb mince you can switch out the lamb for wild pork,venison or even duck.
Method
Cook mince in oil till brown and add curry powder and ORIGINAL SEASONING,add vegetables and noodles,quickly toss in hot pan and serve with lashings of fresh coriander and a generous sprinkle of crispy shallots…super quick,super tasty!
Cheers and Enjoy Marcus
Int’l Kiwi Chef Quite good with rod and gun
Fishos, are we being managed or just locked out?
Down in the Bay we have settled into an early winter routine and activities out on the water are far less frequent now. I have the wood fire going most days and nights and the dog stays tucked up inside to keep warm and dry. I only go to town when I really have to and I can content myself doing a bit of gardening on the fine days, a bit of fishing on the calm days, and a lot of reading on other days. I am a tech reader myself – did my time on spy and detective novels years ago when I was at sea, but now I am more inclined to the non-fiction genres.
In my monthly perusal of fishing media I have noticed an increasing fisheries management trend –stopping people from going fishing. Seems to me that the Ministry responsible for fisheries is not ‘for fishing’ at all when it comes to inshore species around our coastline.
Scallops in decline? Close the fisheries. Paua in decline due to poaching? Close a fishery – as they did at Waimarama in Hawkes Bay. Hauraki Gulf Marine ecosystem appears to be out of balance? O cials can’t or won’t manage land-based sources of marine degradation so they stop everyone from fishing. (Well not everyone – customary fishing is
Great day for a Grunter Hunt
Instead of the autumn snapper being hard on the chew in close, all the rain has muddied up the waters and the fishing was very hit and miss. Couple that with few suitable days for kayak fishing and about 100 new axolotl babies and options have been very limited.
The didn’t stop me unloading the kayak in 3-degree temps on what was forecast to be one of the few classic autumn days this year as far as weather goes. A 4am feeding of the animals and home and I was good to go!
The morning was mixed conditions and unsuccessful fishing for me while the lads did better anchored up with stink bait. The currents were strong, wind all over the place and although not overly strong, it did mean that the drifts were much quicker than ideal and a drift chute
Nelson Marine Centre is proud to announce its new sponsorship of Coastguard Nelson, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the local boating community and promoting safety on the water.
As a business built around helping
generally allowed). And I am not just talking about marine reserves here – yes, it’s everybody out when they are declared, but there are currently all manner of so-called temporary closures in force across Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Northland. I found one that has been temporarily closed for just over ten years; several others remain closed four or more years on; and in 2023 one was proposed to be temporarily closed until 2029.
DOC published a report in December 2004 which ran to 160 pages of maps, information and explanation about area-based restrictions in the New Zealand marine environment. It needs an update because in the 20 odd years
didn’t improve that any. Kaburas bobbing, slow jigging, soft baits, vertical jigging, usually pick up something for the table but not today
Come the bottom of the tide,
the boys headed in while I stayed out on my own, the conditions now ideal. It was the sort of weather where the air warms you nicely as the water gently laps the hull in the stunning autumnal sun – the sort of conditions that make it very hard to leave, fish or no fish.
Time for a change of tactics and change of target species. The gurnard still haven’t returned to the numbers that were present before the big storm a few years back but, there is usually always some around.
So, I dropped my Kaveman Tackle kaburas to the sea floor and started slowly paddling around with my lures dragging along the bottom behind me.
Orange is usually the go for gurnard
since we have lost a great deal more fishing opportunity.
I have never understood political reluctance to actively manage fishing – to limit the size and quantity of marine life that can be legally harvested, to declare and enforce what methods can be used and the other rules of participation. The commercial blokes in my Bay can’t move without some form of electronic surveillance and almost real-time reporting on their vessels yet over the warmer months I watch hundreds of visitors scrambling around the rocks taking marine life with no supervision. I expect the Ministry responsible for fisheries will close my Bay sooner or later.
but wasn’t yielding any results so I switched to pink on one side and lemon zest on the other. First up was a smaller gurnard on pink , a few tentative tugs and then hooked itself. It was a fair while before the next candidate had a crack – this time on the smaller lemon zest. And, he sure liked to play with his food – initially it felt hooked but that proved not to be the case. Almost all the way to the surface he would tug at the kabura with every wind and stop when I stopped winding. With the lure high enough to check visually, I let it drop to the bottom again – same scenario. Then for a third time we played the same game.
Finally he had a proper go at it and I was able to bring him in. Feeling oddly accomplished and the wind coming up, it was time to head to shore.
Nelson Marine Centre supporting Coastguard Nelson
boaties enjoy marine adventures with confidence, partnering with Coastguard Nelson was a natural fit. The organisation plays an important role in protecting boaties and saving lives across the region and Nelson Marine Centre is proud to contribute to this important mission.
“We’re incredibly proud to support
Coastguard Nelson,” says Pete Walters, Managing Director & Owner of Nelson Marine Centre. “They do essential work keeping people safe at sea and we’re thrilled to give back to an organisation that aligns so closely with our values and our own customers.”
By backing Coastguard Nelson,
Nelson Marine Centre hopes to raise awareness around marine safety in the community.
Nelson Marine Centre remains committed to fuelling adventure responsibly, providing expert advice, quality Yamaha products and now proudly standing behind those who protect our seas.
That Kayak Fishing Chick. Yolande Jeffares
Pulsar Oryx LRF – trail-proven tech for the toughest hunts
Pulsar introduces Oryx LRF
– a full-featured, one-handed thermal imaging monocular with a seamlessly integrated laser rangefinder (LRF) and our signature dual battery system.
• Extra durable housing: IP67 rating
• Ambidextrous design: complete operation with one hand
• Next-generation laser rangefinder: 1.5 km measuring distance
• Dual battery system: up to 12 hours of continuous operation
Designed for durability, precision, and ease of use, this nextgeneration device is built to withstand the most demanding hunting conditions.
And with the perfect balance of price and performance, Oryx LRF is the best choice for long and tough hunts.
Durable and thoughtful design
The robust housing and ergonomic design of the Oryx LRF set a new standard in durability and usability. Engineered to withstand shocks, drops, and extreme environmental conditions, this monocular is Pulsar’s first device with an IP67 rating— making it not only waterproof but also dust-resistant. This level of protection ensures the device maintains its integrity and longevity, even in the harshest conditions.
Like most Pulsar devices, the Oryx LRF features a symmetrical design, allowing for comfortable use with either hand. However, we’ve taken usability a step further by integrating a new focusing wheel near the eyepiece, enabling full one-handed operation. This innovation makes adjustments quicker and more intuitive, even in the heat of action. Powerful image
The Oryx LRF delivers exceptional thermal imaging, standing shoulder to shoulder with its high-performance counterparts. Equipped with a Lynred 640x480 @ 12μm sensor, it provides a sharp and detailed image across all observation conditions.
Our proprietary processing algorithms further enhance image quality, leveraging Pulsar’s
sensitivity enhancement technology. This ensures a crisp, high-contrast image without sacrificing fine details or increasing latency.
For an even better field experience, the Oryx LRF includes digital image stabilization— particularly useful for tracking distant targets. Additionally, automatic screen brightness control optimizes visibility and reduces eye fatigue during night-time use.
Full-featured device for any situation
The new monocular is equipped with multiple premium features
to help hunters navigate any situation. At its core is the nextgeneration laser rangefinder, capable of measuring distances up to 1.5 kilometers. With enhanced permeability, it e ciently cuts through fog and adverse weather conditions, providing precise readings when they matter most.
Additionally, the Oryx LRF features Pulsar’s signature dual battery system, combining an internal and external battery for a total operation time of up to 12 hours. This extended battery life ensures reliability for long, uninterrupted
hunting sessions.
The Pulsar Oryx LRF is a cuttingedge thermal imaging monocular designed for hunters who demand precision, durability, and long-lasting performance. With its combination of premium features, it is built to excel in the most challenging conditions. Whether you’re navigating dense forests, open fields, or foggy terrain, the Oryx LRF ensures you stay ahead of the game.
The Pulsar Oryx LRF XG35 is now available in New Zealand. Check them out at www.thermalpulsar. co.nz
The Pulsar Oryx LRF XG35 sets a new standard in high performance, compact thermal imaging.
Outstanding features include:
• Accurate 1500m laser rangefinder
• Lynred ATTO640 sensor (MIL-STD 883/810)
• Image stabilisation
• Fast 35mm germanium objective lens
• Precision focus wheel for single-handed use
• Fully protected quick-change battery pack
• Internal back-up battery
• Durable IP67 fully waterproof Mg-alloy body.
Exceptional Ute & Station Wagon Fit-outs
Whether you’re a skilled tradesperson, a DIY enthusiast, or just a fan of utes, our custom fit-outs are tailor-made to elevate your road transport experience. Our fit-outs not only meet but often exceed expectations in terms of quality and aesthetics.
We take pride in collaborating with you to design the perfect deck or canopy, whether it’s transforming your hand-drawn vision into reality or utilising our cutting-edge SolidWorks design system to bring your ideas to life.
Our fit-out solutions include toolboxes, fold-down sides,
hydraulic lifts, H-frames, slide out drawers and more to make the most of the space in your vehicle. We’re your one-stop solution for all your transportation needs.
Precise fit-outs, even before your Ute Arrives
If you haven’t taken delivery of your ute yet, we can still get to work. With just the make and model information, we can now digitally import the specifications and design the perfect canopy in consultation with you. Our advanced technology allows us to create a vivid image, o ering you a clear preview of the final result. We meticulously check
tolerances to ensure a seamless fit between the body and cab while optimising wheel travel. When your ute finally arrives, we can e ortlessly install the canopy, making your vehicle road-ready in no time.
Rely on Aluminium Excellence
Our fit-outs are crafted from premium aluminium, the ideal material for utes. We utilise heavygauge aluminium to withstand the toughest challenges and work life. Lightweight yet incredibly robust, our fit-outs are built to last and engineered for their intended purpose. Moreover, aluminium is corrosion-resistant, ensuring that your fit-out remains impervious to various loads.
Wagons
If a custom high quality sliding drawer for your wagon is what you’re after, we can do this for a side or back opening door. We use sturdy, customised parts so your drawer glides with ease, to make the most of hard to reach places. Game changer.
An example we’re very proud of is the drawers in a fleet of ambulance First-Responder utes to make access to key materials easier for paramedics.
Choose our fit-outs to enhance the functionality and durability of your ute. Contact us today to discuss your specific requirements and take your road transport to the next level.
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Our reputation speaks for itself, and our work consistently exceeds our customers’ expectations visit our website to see more.
Marlborough Bow Hunters - On the UP
For the past year or two Marlborough Bow Hunters have very quietly trundled along but recently that has changed. There’s a new enthusiasm within the group, along with a new venue to host target shoots and a new club president. Ben Dick and his partner Libby Cooper have taken up the reins.
They’re experienced archers, proven both out in the wilds and on the target course.
The course is situated in the Upper Waihopai Valley, a glorious backdrop to 20 lifelike targets set in a variety of positions on a twokilometre loop. Shots range from 8 to 68 yards and targets range from a beaver with her wood (yes, she is
the butt of many a joke), to a running boar, to a full sized crocodile basking beside a pond.
The Club shoots the course on the third Saturday of every month – their goal – a bit of fun, to learn or share new tips and techniques, to meet like-minded people and to partake in hunting and fishing banter. They welcome all comers from all parts of NZ and the world,
no membership required, just notify them beforehand and BYO bow and arrows.
For more details go to the team’s Facebook page @ Marlborough Bow Hunters and keep an eye on The Fishing Paper & Hunting News for monthly updates, results and yarns.
Special Guest at Cable Bay Interclub
My home club in Nelson, the Cable Bay Pistol Club, was honoured to host Associate Minister of Justice, Nicole McKee during an interclub competition recently.
Her visit reflects the respect she has for licensed firearm owners. It also gave those in attendance the opportunity to speak with her and ask questions. As we all know, she has faced criticism for engaging with various groups but why should it be seen as a bad thing when a Minister takes the time to meet citizens face-to-face? After all, their job is to serve the people of this country.
Knowledge on any subject must be developed and expanded. While the Minister brings a great deal of experience, she’s not hesitant to ask questions of her own — and she listens to the answers.
At our club, we have many experienced members with extensive firearm knowledge and skills. We’re happy to share what we know because we all want a safer New Zealand. We understand the vital roles firearms play for farmers
managing stock and pest control, and for hunters providing food for their families and friends.
For clubs like ours, it’s about sport, testing our skills, and helping others improve theirs. Safe handling doesn’t just happen, it requires training. Fit-for-purpose laws support that goal.
Far too often, media and government o cials irresponsibly link licensed firearms owners with criminals. That is both unfair and
o ensive. In this, Minister McKee is working hard to strike the right balance — creating safe, practical rules that achieve what they are meant to. Allowing responsible, vetted individuals to use firearms.
A firearms licence should mean you are ‘fit and proper.’ In short, a valued member of society, not someone to be feared.
We all have a role to play in educating our communities and elected representatives. Make
appointments to meet with your local National, NZ First or any other local MP’s and explain the value of thoughtful, e ective legislation. The last government rushed through changes that largely punished law-abiding citizens rather than criminals.
Range shooting is a very safe activity and one of the best ways for people to learn from experienced shooters. What rational person would want to make it harder or more expensive for volunteer-run clubs to do what they do best? These clubs often operate without any council or government funding. How many sports in New Zealand give so much and ask for so little? Think about that the next time you drive past a well-maintained sports field — who’s paying for its upkeep? Minister Nicole McKee and the ACT Party need support. They can’t do it alone. Help educate others — we are 230,000 licence holders, plus our partners, families, friends, and workmates. That’s a lot of voices, and a lot of voters.
PISTOL SHOOTING
Brian Bishop
Fishing Company Director Jailed
Former director of fishing company jailed for 16 months over illegal fishing
The former director of a fishing company who knew fish was being caught and landed illegally for profit, has been jailed for 16 months.
Glen Owen Wright (37), former director of All Weather Fishing Company Limited, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week (Thursday 19 June 2025) following a successful prosecution by Fisheries New Zealand. He faced a representative charge under the Fisheries Act for failing to prevent the o ending by his company along with obstructing a fishery o cer.
The sentencing marks the end of a long Fisheries New Zealand compliance investigation which included successful prosecutions of another company and individuals for related o ending.
“Mr Wright was the director of a company that illegally caught and landed nearly 15 tonnes of snapper, and more than 140kg of kahawai and 40kg of grey mullet,” says Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries compliance Steve Ham.
“The company did not have the required quota to legally catch the fish and did not report or record the
catch.
“The rules are there to ensure sustainability for everyone. The court found Mr Wright was aware that fish was being caught and landed illegally by his company but did nothing to prevent it.
“The vast majority of commercial fishers do the right thing. This fish was stolen, and the motivation was greed and profit.”
Fisheries New Zealand’s investigation earlier tracked the illegally caught fish and prosecuted those responsible for its trade. In
August last year, Auckland licenced fish receiver, Sea World Limited, which traded as Seamart, was fined $360,000 for illegally supplying fish valued at over $348,000 to other seafood companies.
An employee, Marco Taukatelata (50), was jailed for 3 years and 7 months and a former company director, Haihong Liu (44), was placed on 12 months home detention for their roles in the o ending.
“The court’s sentence today should send a strong message that there are serious consequences for anyone involved in this type of black market trade.”
Mr Wright is currently imprisoned for unrelated o ences.
Have your say on proposed catch limits
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking public input into catch limit and other management changes for nearly 30 fisheries across the country, as part of the next regular fisheries sustainability review.
The public consultation includes proposed changes for three blue cod stocks, snapper on the west coast of the South Island, and blue mackerel on the west coast of the North Island. Also included in the proposed changes are deemed value rate changes for six fish stocks.
for the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries who decides on any changes for the fisheries. Changes come into e ect for the fishing year starting 1 October 2025.
The consultation is open now and will run until 23 July 2025. The full proposals, as well as more information about the consultation and how to make a submission can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries website: https:// www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/
The fisheries included in this review represent stocks that are of high importance to New Zealand economically, socially, and culturally.
Following consultation, Fisheries New Zealand will use feedback from the public to develop advice
MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@ mpi.govt.nz
Where's the Boundary ?
Here’s the cell phone call you don’t want to get if you are a professional pāua diver;
Fisheries - “ Hi, this is Fisheries Enforcement calling. We see from your Geospatial Report device that you appear to be anchored and working in Easterly Bay, how’s it going ?”
Cheerful diver Dave - “ Good thanks, nice weather and seem to be plenty of fish, what’s up ?”.
Fisheries O cer - “Were you aware that Easterly Bay was closed to all pāua fishing since last year ?”.
Less cheerful diver Dave“Oh..sh.t ! .. No, didn’t know that !!“
This is a tough one for our dive crews. There are many areas closed to commercial pāua diving scattered around the coast of New Zealand. Marine Reserves, various Marine Protected Areas, Customary closures like mataitai, s.186A temporary closures, Customary management areas like mataitai, and a range of fishing method restrictions – it is a long list of closures and it is growing increasingly hard to keep track of it all. Closures to fishing are increasingly common around the coast these days ! The penalties are severe for professional divers who get it wrong.
• You can be looking down the barrel of loss of vessel and gear, including vehicles, forfeitures catch which is counted against quota and fines in the tens of thousands of dollars.
• Not to mention the very public
embarrassment of a conviction.
• And of course you are quick to be told – ignorance is no excuse.
So how can you avoid working in an area that got closed, for example by way of a s.186A temporary closure, that gets gazetted in the middle of the season? Especially since you haven’t been told about it, even as a fishing permit holder ?
With the onus on you to get it right, you might think you could just go online and find out. But try for yourself and see just how opaque the process is.
On Stewart Island, PAU5B, there are over 30 small s.186 closures, a big, regulated closure, and Marine Reserve. And good luck finding all the closures in PAU2, the lower half of the North Island, in one place. Now try doing that at sea on your cell phone with wet cold fingers !
To help our divers navigate this complex maze of fishery closures, the pāua industry recently contracted work to create a free, easy to find and readily available app based approach to identifying where you can dive. At the moment the developer (see contact details at end of article) is getting help from Fisheries New Zealand with things like digital boundaries and fact checking of lists and so on. And our sincere thanks to their Dunedin O ce for this.
The work is almost finished, and we hope to run field tests in a couple of areas this month before going live across all Quota Management Areas.
We are using a mobile based
application called QField, loading up all areas where there are restrictions for taking pāua to help commercial divers navigate the complex web of closures.
• The application is easy to use, with good features for professional pāua divers.
• They can use geofencing - so they get an alert when entering a restricted area – no more nasty surprises from Fisheries Enforcement calls.
• Maps can be downloaded and used o ine, which is crucial for those remote stretches of coastline where cell coverage is patchy or non-existent.
• Divers can see o cial MPI boundaries, view what statistical reporting area they are working in to help with electronic reporting requirements, and check voluntary closed areas that need to be observedall clearly marked and easily identifiable.
• There are plenty more features, such as the ability to upload geotagged pictures or mark
photos highlighting quality
locations of favourite pāua beds, but we won’t be enabling those initially – we’ll let dive crews keep those secret spots to themselves!
For commercial pāua divers, this app will be a game-changer –transforming the current maze of scattered information into a single, reliable, accessible tool that could save vessels from penalties and prevent thousands of dollars in fines.
We figure the Paua Boundaries App will be a big help to our guys but will be including the proviso that this is to be used as an indication of boundaries and in the end the onus is on them to get it right.
If you, your fishing, diving , boating or hunting and outdoor club are interested in digital maps like this to view or collect location-based information, feel free to contact Tom, Tom Norman Tom.r.norman@gmail.com
Screen shots from the "Paua Boundaries App"
The first screenshot shows QField in action, with aerial imagery and the Taputeranga Marine Reserve (Island Bay, Wellington) overlaid in red. The blue arrow shows the dive support vessels location (not diving for pāua in the marine reserve, but instead purchasing fish and chips from the Island Bay chippie !)
The second screenshot shows the same area using a lighter-weight downloadable map that works completely o ine. This might not be crucial in Wellington, but it’s invaluable on isolated coasts in the Chathams or Fiordland.
If Cheerful Diver Dave wants more information about any closure, he simply taps on it, and more information on the specific area will appear, listing what kind of closure it is, any species or seasonal restrictions and so on.
Two
of the aerial imagery. Left photo (blue arrow) shows where the photo was taken from and bottom photo is taken from the south coast.
Finding a balance - population growth, marine ecosystems, good
Industry correspondent Daryl Sykes reviews a Ministerial decision that surprised and disappointed the Bay of Plenty (CRA 2) rock lobster industry.
The 2025/26 rock lobster fishing year is now well underway and the industry has adjusted to yet more changes in export market demands and preferences and in some regions has also come to terms with the disappointment of 2025/26 TAC and Sustainability decisions announced by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the Hon. Shane Jones e ective from 01 April.
Normally bold and adventurous in his political exchanges, the Minister was unusually restrained in his decision-making for the CRA 2 (Bay of Plenty) and CRA 7 (Otago) lobster fisheries. The CRA 2 decision was particularly disappointing to the commercial participants who have made significant sacrifices and investments in that fishery for over two decades. Given their confidence in good science being used to inform good management decisions, they and the wider industry felt badly let down this year in spite of all the very positive signs of increased stock abundance in their fishery.
For 2025/26 the Minister decided to retain the prior catch settings for the fishery although successive stock assessments showed a significant increase in the overall CRA 2 rock lobster population compared to when the sharp catch reductions were voluntarily made in 2016 and consolidated by a mandatory cut in 2018. The Minister acknowledged the need to balance sustainability with economic and social factors and noted that whilst overall the stock was recovering from previous lower levels, there was localised depletion and attendant ecosystem impacts. He claimed that an increase in commercial removals risked further harm to vulnerable sub-populations and to the marine environment.
The reference to sub-populations was an interesting one in the context of rock lobster fisheries generally. Each of the nine rock
CRA 2 ‘Zones’ - the largest scale at which individual commercial catch and e ort are first recorded. Finer scale data are derived from Vessel Logbooks.
Credit NZ RLIC
lobster (CRA) fisheries management areas consists of a compilation or assemblage of rock lobster fishing grounds which are scattered along coastlines and extend out to deeper water. On a seasonal basis there are ebbs and flows of lobster abundance according to larval settlement strengths, availability and condition of favourable habitats, environmental conditions, and the behavioural characteristics of the lobsters. Add to that the disposition and concentration of commercial and non-commercial fishing e ort directed at lobsters.
For industry participants the rock lobster management areas are the sum of their parts - for example, in CRA 4, the Wellington/Hawkes Bay lobster fishery management area, there are six ‘zones’ for which commercial catch and e ort are closely monitored in every fishing year and have been for many decades. Each zone demonstrates similar but di ering performance characteristics. Each zone has a di erent level of productivity, with a long history of aggregate catches and catch rates being higher or
lower than neighbouring zones.
But they all sit within the CRA 4 management area. Fishermen will relate their observations of finer scale variability within zones.
Such is also the case in CRA 2. The management area is subdivided into zones for stock monitoring purposes. Historically and currently the zones have varying levels of productivity, and variable commercial catch rates.
Whilst most of the zones are
geographically large, rock lobster habitat within some of them is relatively small. For example, in the central Bay of Plenty (‘zone’ 907) the rock lobster habitat is mostly confined to the reef systems around and between the o shore islands stretching from Whakatane north and westwards to Tauranga. Yet for lobsters, over several decades that zone has been significantly more productive than the entire Hauraki Gulf.
Finding a balance - population growth, marine ecosystems, good
The area of localised depletion that is the focus of the Minister’s decision is the inner Hauraki Gulf – an inshore section of ‘zone’ 905 which extends from Te Arai to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula and includes the Great Barrier and other Gulf Islands. Commercial catch and e ort data shows the zone to have contributed no more than 17% to 20% of the total CRA 2 commercial landings over time. And for those who know the fishing grounds within the area the catches are taken from reef systems in the outer reaches of the zone, well away from the myriads of recreational sailing, fishing and dive vessels that might become entangled in commercial gear or assume commercial pots to be fair game as a source of kaimoana. Importantly, commercial fishermen generally operate in areas where they know they will reliably catch fish - and the near shore areas of the Gulf are not and have not been very productive lobster fishing grounds. The Minister seems to have been persuaded that they should be. However, that advice was not coming directly from the science and research commissioned by his Ministry.
During the public consultation period prior to the decisions being announced, marine researchers from the University of Auckland conceded that the CRA 2 lobster population was indeed increasing but asserted that the stock assessments which have guided sustainability advice since the 1970’s were unreliable. “Data collected from our diver-based surveys of Hauraki Gulf rocky reefs don’t show an increase in crayfish numbers to the same extent as that reported in the fishery assessment”. Their research e ort - delivered independently of the peer-reviewed Ministry research contracting programmes - used potting and diver surveys within marine reserves and adjacent fished areas in CRA 2 to assess lobster populations. It found that lobster biomass in fished areas was less than 10% of that in marine reserves, with vulnerable biomass estimated at around 2.6% of the biomass in reserves. “This suggests that the current stock assessment
models, which treat CRA 2 as a single unit and rely heavily on fisheries-dependent data, may overestimate lobster abundance and fail to capture localized depletion”.
The research was conducted across an extremely small swathe of the CRA 2 fishery; a small swathe even of zone 905. The study area was then assumed to be representative of the wider fishery management area. So the presumption in all of that is that the inner Hauraki Gulf and the adjacent zones within the CRA 2 management area must be a homogenous rock lobster fishery in which levels of stock abundance should be consistent across each square nautical mile of seabed (or equivalent measure) on a constant basis. Which is nonsense, and can be demonstrated as being such from a proper examination of the published stock monitoring data collected by both the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans and the CRA 2 rock lobster industry.
Unfortunately it might take a while for the Minister to realise that stock assessments such as denigrated by University researchers have reliably guided rock lobster TAC and Sustainability decisions for decades, and whilst not always totally accurate (due in part to a lack of, or even absence of non-commercial catch and e ort data) have informed both voluntary and mandatory rock lobster fisheries management interventions that have demonstrably reversed stock declines whilst maintaining acceptable levels of catches for commercial and non-commercial extractive users.
There is more to come in this story because in addition to the very conservative ‘TAC and Sustainability’ decision, there are further interventions that are closing areas to fishing in designated Hauraki Gulf ‘high protection areas’ to provide critical time and space for depleted shellfish species and marine habitats to regenerate, leading to improved biodiversity, ecosystem function, and sustainable cultural and economic use over the long term. Displaced fishing e ort is not yet being accounted for, but it will be.
Footnote #1 on ecosystem impacts:
The Port of Auckland holds a marine dumping consent (EEZ400011) granted by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in June 2019, valid for 35 years until 2054, authorizing disposal at the Cuvier Disposal Site (CDS), located about 27 nautical miles (50 km) east of Cuvier Island (Repanga) in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, outside the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
The consent allows disposal of up to 2 million cubic meters of capital dredged material and 1.75 million cubic meters of maintenance dredging over the consent term. Annual disposal limits are set at 400,000 m³ for capital dredging and 50,000 m³ for maintenance dredging.
Multiple local Iwi have expressed strong opposition to dredging and disposal proposals, highlighting concerns that the volume of dredged material exceeds consent limits and that cultural sensitivities regarding dumping in their tribal rohe (territories) have not been adequately addressed. For example, iwi such as Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea have raised concerns about damage to traditional fishing grounds near Cuvier Island and Great Barrier Island.
Inshore dredging Auckland Harbour.
Credits – AHB 2022
Footnote #2 on ecosystem impacts:
Between 1970 and 2020 an estimated several hundred thousand building consents were issued for the Auckland area adjacent to the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland continues to see high volumes of building consents, with over 13,800 residential consents granted in the year ending June 2024, including more than 4,000 new houses. The trend reflects ongoing urban growth and housing supply e orts. Excavation, construction and disturbances to landscapes, coupled with storm water and grey water discharges feed sedimentation and pollution into Gulf waters.
Inshore dredging Auckland Harbour.
Credits – AHB 2022
Thread lining and treble hooks Coastlines
On a rare occasion when dropping in to a licensed hostelry, I met a chap some of the locals call Kung Fu Panda. This piqued my interest and during subsequent conversation I discovered he taught Kung Fu and Tai Chi. I was interested in Tai Chi, so I began to attend his classes for the good of my health. Pete was most helpful, also providing six foolscap pages of exercises and movements for use at home between lessons. It is marvellous for joints, breathing and well-being generally.
I discovered Pete likes a bit of fishing and so I enthused about using a fly and how it is a little like Tai Chi – flowing, relaxing and good for well-being. Upshot was I dragged the boat around to his place and we headed for Brunner. Nobody else was out there when we launched and as we made our way out around the lake there was a boom, and we remembered it was duck shooting season.
Pete said I hope we don’t get within range, and I agreed, remembering another year when I felt a bit uncomfortable with the detonations emanating from a nearby swamp. However, there were only a couple of bangs heard
during our time on the lake, so we felt reasonably comfortable and continued fishing.
I had resolved to give Pete plenty of rod time so rowed most of the day and in the flat still conditions the odd trout was clearly visible. He was used to spin fishing and had a supply of Tassie Devils, Tobies, and all manner of other lures, each with treble hooks.
I reflected to myself the Silver Frog had never had trebles on board, nor a thread liner, but with an agenda of mentoring Pete onto the fly, I rowed quietly into likely spots in the hope of him scoring some trout. Spoiler alert – we only saw five trout all day and I think three of them were the same one coming round again, while we had our ham and chutney sandwiches for lunch.
I suggested to Pete the trout were likely to head away toward the river mouths, in readiness for the trip upstream to spawn. This was perhaps demonstrated when he spotted a fish with quite bright colouring and thought it could be a rainbow, however brownies do tend to intensify their colouring in the lead up to spawning.
I have a practice that ‘what’s said in the boat, stays in the boat,’ so people can feel free to unload anything that is on their mind, a bit like therapy if you like and as we know, fishing is great for mental health and well-being. Without going into any detail and breaking my rule, we discussed a range of topics from politics, both New Zealand and world, plus the machinations of corporate bodies to, well, let’s just
Entries for the Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards 2025 are open now
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking nominations of people and organisations who are putting in the hard mahi to help ensure our seafood sector is sustainable and innovative.
The Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards recognise the individuals, businesses of all sizes, iwi organisations and not-for-profits who are demonstrating exceptional commitment to ensuring that our oceans are productive and healthy, both now and for future generations.
A panel of independent judges, representing di erent parts of the seafood sector, will select finalists and winners across five categories:
• Operational Innovator Award
• Market Innovator Award
• Future Leader Award
• Ocean Guardian Award
• Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki Award
The winner of the Supreme Sustainability and Innovation Award will be selected from winners across these categories.
Seafood New Zealand are sponsor
Ivan Wilson
say it will stay in the boat! In a general sense though, we both reflected on how wonderful it is to be out on the water and how enthusiastic those people are, who might not immerse themselves very often in the wonderful vistas provided by the lake, bush and mountains, plus a variety of wildlife thrown in. We must never take it for granted. There was an abundance of swans speaking to each other in quiet, high-pitched, tinkling whistles, pied stilts stalking the margins, noisy spur winged plovers protesting loudly about anything and everything, here and there a heron with its occasional primeval, harsh rasping and the usual range of land birds in the bush around the shoreline. There was enough to enjoy even if we didn’t get anything with fins, so I took a picture or two and posted it up with the message ‘my o ce for today.’
After our very enjoyable day out, I think Pete is interested in gaining some skills as a fly fisher – I’ll just have to get him out there again and show him how e ective a fly really is and actually catch something!
of the Supreme Sustainability Award and Aquaculture New Zealand are sponsor of the Market Innovator Award
In addition, a Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Award will be presented to recognise a long-term contribution to sustainability and innovation in the seafood sector.
Award entries opened on 23 June, and close on 24 July.
Finalists will be announced in August with the awards presented at an event at Parliament on 11 September 2025.
To nominate yourself or someone else, complete the online form on the MPI website: www.mpi. govt.nz/seafood-awards.
