New Zealand proposed new licence category - the Designated Waters licence

Fish and Game New Zealand initiated a consultation process in March 2023, regarding a proposed approach to managing pressure sensitive fisheries. The proposed solution was to implement a new licence category, the Designated Waters Licence, which aimed to redistribute angling pressure and address the displacement of resident anglers. The feedback sought from anglers touched on various aspects of the proposal, and a multitude of responses from both resident and non-resident anglers were received.

Summary of Feedback

The feedback showed a relatively even split among resident anglers about whether the locations they fished were pressure sensitive. Non-resident anglers, however, significantly perceived the waters they fished as pressure sensitive. Overall, the proposal to implement targeted restrictions on sensitive fisheries to manage angling pressure garnered strong support from resident anglers and moderate support from non-resident anglers.

Regarding the proposal for a small fee for an annual resident Designated Waters Licence, support was seen from both resident and non-resident anglers. Meanwhile, the fees for daily non-resident Designated Waters Licences saw a clear division between resident and non-resident anglers, with the latter largely disagreeing with the proposed fees.

There was a similarly divided response concerning the limits on the number of Designated Waters Day Licences a non-resident angler could purchase per Fish and Game region. Resident anglers strongly supported this limit, while non-resident anglers were divided in their opinions.

Responses to the Feedback

In response to the feedback, Fish & Game New Zealand decided to retain the targeted restrictions on sensitive fisheries. The annual resident Designated Waters Licence fee will be set at $5 for all Fish and Game regions. The daily non-resident Designated Waters Licence will be set at $40 per day, and the limit on the number of these licences will be increased to five per Fish and Game region.

Additionally, Designated Waters Licence fees will be used exclusively for managing these sensitive fisheries. Fish & Game also plans to increase compliance work on Designated Waters, fund an education and communications campaign on angling etiquette, review fisheries suitable for beat systems, and engage with stakeholders such as transport providers and professional fishing guides.

Proposed Next Steps

The New Zealand Fish and Game Council will recommend the establishment of a Designated Waters Licence category and the fees for these licences to the Minister of Conservation in June. From May to June, regional Fish and Game Councils will consider which waters they want to recommend as Designated Waters. In July, the New Zealand Fish and Game Council will recommend to the Minister of Conservation the approval of the Anglers Notice 2023, which will specify which waters are Designated Waters. If these steps are approved, the Designated Waters system will be operational from the 1st of October 2023.