From July 15 the recreational fishers will be able to gather scallops in the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman and Golden Bays starts for the current year. Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton is calling on scallop fishers to follow the rules when they go fishing. He told that fishers should strict to their bag limit, size limits and seasons before they fishing. According to him the minimum legal size for scallops in the Challenger area is 90mm measured across the widest part of the shell.
As per the rules 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. The minister appeal to the fishers that they should strictly stick to the minimum size limits, they are carefully set to make sure there will be enough scallops left for the future.
It is said that the fishery officers and honorary fishery officers will be patrolling and inspecting scallop catches. If caught breaking the rules then fines of $250 – $500 per offence can be imposed on fishers. Jim Anderton said fishery officers are tasked with protecting our fish stocks for future generations. He added that the scallop season will close on 14 February next year.
