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Conservation Act 1987

Freshwater fisheries - Indigenous freshwater fish

26ZHB: Prohibitions and restrictions on taking of indigenous freshwater fish

You could also call this:

"Rules for catching New Zealand's native freshwater fish"

If you want to take indigenous freshwater fish from a conservation area, you must have an authorisation given under section 26ZHC(1)(a) or 26ZHD. You can take indigenous freshwater fish from freshwater that is not a conservation area if you have an authorisation or if you take the fish for food and follow the regulations.

You can also take fish if you do not hurt it, return it to the water quickly, and keep it close to you and the water until you return it. If you do not follow these rules, you can get a fine of up to $5,000.

You must follow the rules when taking indigenous freshwater fish to avoid getting in trouble.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS268910.

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationGovernment and voting > Government departments
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26ZHA: Approval under specified Acts to access public land is not approval for recreational fishing of indigenous freshwater fish, or

"Accessing public land does not automatically let you fish for native freshwater fish."

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26ZHC: Director-General may authorise taking of indigenous fish on application, or

"Someone can take native fish if they ask and follow the rules."

Part 5BFreshwater fisheries
Indigenous freshwater fish

26ZHBProhibitions and restrictions on taking of indigenous freshwater fish

  1. A person must not take any indigenous freshwater fish from a conservation area except in accordance with an authorisation given under section 26ZHC(1)(a) or 26ZHD.

  2. A person may take indigenous freshwater fish from freshwater that is not a conservation area or part of a conservation area only if—

  3. the person takes the fish in accordance with an authorisation given under section 26ZHC(1)(b) or 26ZHD; or
    1. the person takes the fish—
      1. primarily as food for human consumption, including for sale as food for human consumption; and
        1. in accordance with any regulations or notice made under this Act; or
        2. the person—
          1. takes the fish from the waters in a manner that does not lead to its injury or death; and
            1. returns the fish to those waters as soon as practicable after taking it; and
              1. at all times until the fish is returned, keeps the fish in close proximity to the waters, the person, and any fishing device used to take the fish.

              2. A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

              Notes
              • Section 26ZHB: inserted, on , by section 7 of the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 55).