The proposal has been released for public consultation that contains measures to combat the declining numbers of blue cod in the Sounds. It is said that the ban could for at least three years which reduce and tightening of the daily blue cod bag limits. Ministry of Fisheries inshore fisheries manager Scott Williamson states that the proposals were sound conservation ideas to help rebuild size and numbers of blue cod.
But the initial reaction of the members of the fishing community was not positive. Williamson said a National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) survey of blue cod in late 2007 found that the number of juvenile cod in the Sounds had declined 57 percent since 2004. He added that reduction in catch limits and minimum size adjustments had failed to allow cod numbers to regenerate.
Recreational fisher and fishing author Tony Orman said the proposals showed that the ministry does not know what recreational fishing is about. He concluded that the closure of parts of the Sounds to all hook and line fishing was too broad and did not allow for line fishing with barbless hooks or without sinkers.
According to him a reduction in the blue cod catch limit was “ridiculous” for charter fishing organizations. The public were asked to submit their opinion on the proposals till April 23. Based on that, the ministry will take necessary steps to save the blue cod species.
