31/03/2026
Big changes for us up north, the east coast is now fully closed to crayfish for the next few years ❌🦞
This applies to everyone, no recreational or commercial take.
West coast is still open, but stricter limits apply ⚠️
All about rebuilding cray numbers and helping bring the reefs back 👍
Make sure you know the rules before heading out hefty fines if you get it wrong
🦞Fisheries closure and catch limit changes🦞
The eastern portion of Northland’s spiny rock lobster fishery (CRA 1) and parts of the Auckland fishery (CRA 2) close from tomorrow, 1 April 2026.
The closure prohibits commercial and recreational harvest of spiny rock lobster from Ohao Point, including Pārengarenga Harbour, to the Hauraki Gulf at Cape Rodney.
The daily recreational catch limits for spiny rock lobster in the Northland fishery, and packhorse rock lobster around the country, will also change on 1 April.
The new daily bag limits mean fishers can take:
🦞 two spiny rock lobster per person in the open areas of the CRA 1 fishery, and
🦞 three packhorse rock lobster per person nationwide (PHC 1).
Fishery Officers will be checking peoples’ catch and anyone caught breaking the rules could face a fine of up to $100,000, and risk having any items used in the offending seized.
With the Easter long weekend coming up, make sure you know the rules for wherever you are planning to fish and check your NZ Fishing Rules app every time.
You can find out more about restrictions and closures and download the free NZ Fishing Rules app at: https://fisheries.govt.nz/rules
Anyone who sees any suspected illegal fishing should report it to Fisheries New Zealand by phoning 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) or email [email protected]
