New fishing rules are being introduced in a bid to increase sustainability of recreational fisheries.
The new rules include extending for another five years from next month the temporary ban on fishing in Pukerua Bay, near Wellington, except with a hand-held line.
Fisheries Ministry central inshore manager, Dan Lees, says it is a bid to rebuild the local fishery in wake of fishing pressure on paua and kina.
A temporary ban has been in place since 2002, after Ngati Toa and other local residents pointed out the decline of the fishery during the 1990s.
In the Challenger fishery from Awarua on the West Coast north around the top of the South Island to Clarence on the South Island's east coast, rules have been standardised.
From October 1, the minimum legal size of sand flounder will become 25cm instead of 23cm, the minimum mesh size for amateurs netting red moki will drop 1mm to 114mm, and for butterfish it will drop 8mm to 100mm.
In Fiordland, recreational fishers gathering rock lobster will be allowed to store their live catch in holding pots to keep their catch fresh.
Around Akaroa on Banks Peninsula, there will be new rules in the Maori fishery area, or taiapure, including daily limits on finfish, and a ban on taking any seahorse or shellfish from the Onawe Peninsula area.
