Fisheries Act 1996

Access to fishery - Fishing vessel registration

112: Taking of fish, etc, by other than New Zealand ships

You could also call this:

"Fishing in New Zealand waters: rules for non-New Zealand ships"

You cannot use a vessel that is not a New Zealand ship to take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed in New Zealand fisheries waters, except for certain purposes. You can use a non-New Zealand ship for fisheries research, experimental, sports, or recreational fishing purposes. You can also use a non-New Zealand ship if you get approval from the chief executive and follow any conditions they set. If a vessel has a tender that is being used for fishing, the vessel is considered to be used for fishing too. This applies even if the vessel is not in New Zealand fisheries waters. If you use a vessel for fishing in a way that breaks this rule, you commit an offence and can be penalised under section 252(3).

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This page was last updated on 12 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM397301.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Farming and fishing

111: Fish on registered vessel deemed to have been taken for purpose of sale, or

"Fish on your registered boat is assumed to be for selling, unless you have approval."

113: Possession of fish, etc, by vessels that are not New Zealand ships, or

"Rules for having fish or seaweed on non-New Zealand boats in New Zealand waters"

Part 6Access to fishery
Fishing vessel registration

112Taking of fish, etc, by other than New Zealand ships

No person shall use any vessel that is not a New Zealand ship to take fish, aquatic life, or seaweed in New Zealand fisheries waters (other than the exclusive economic zone), except—
for fisheries research, experimental, sports, or recreational fishing purposes; and
with the prior approval of the chief executive and in accordance with any conditions the chief executive may impose.

If any vessel has any tender carried by, or attached to, or operated in conjunction with, the vessel, then, whether or not the vessel is within New Zealand fisheries waters (other than the exclusive economic zone), the vessel shall for the purposes of this section be deemed to be used in fishing at the time and place the tender is being so used, as well as at that time and place.
Repealed
If any vessel is used in fishing in contravention of this section, every person on the vessel commits an offence and is liable for the penalty set out in section 252(3).

Compare

1983 No 14 s 60
1986 No 34 s 13(1)
1990 No 29 s 30

Notes

Section 112(3): repealed (without coming into force), on 9 September 1999, by section 86 of the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 101).