On 17 September the Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, announced a range of new Snapper 1 management measures that will affect both recreational and commercial fishers.
As of 1 April 2014 the individual recreational daily bag limit will reduce from 9 to 7, and the minimum legal size will increase from 27 to 30cm. This represents a 22% reduction in access for individuals. There is no change to the 4500 tonne total allowable commercial catch (TACC).
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council reaction to this decision is captured in this LegaSea media release ‘Snapper decision falls short’.