Complaints of crowding spark new requirement
Anglers planning to fish the upper reaches of Southland’s Oreti River will need a back country licence this season.
Southland Fish & Game manager Zane Moss said the requirement for the back country licence, which was free, was so the organisation could better manage the fishery.
‘‘We’ve received more complaints about the fishery being overcrowded so having people apply for a back county licence will allow us to survey users about their experience when they’ve been fishing there.
‘‘We’ll be able to contact those anglers directly to find out what problems they had, if any.’’
In the future Fish & Game may instigate a controlled fishery on the Upper Oreti, which would mean anglers would have to apply to a ballot to fish the area. ‘‘We would consult widely before that happens.’’
Anglers would also require a standard fishing licence if they were fishing the Upper Oreti.
The only other controlled fishery in Southland is the Ettrick Burn in Fiordland, which runs through the Murchison Mountains Special Takahe Area managed by the Department of Conservation. A back country licence in this area permits angler access for one specified calendar day, with no overnight stays.
The Controlled Fishery Booking entitles the primary angler and a maximum of three other back country licensed companions to fish in solitude on the river on one given day.
Bookings to fish the Ettrick Burn may be made for Wednesdays and Saturdays only and days may not be booked more than five days in advance.
There are no other changes to fishing regulations or bag limits for the 2018/2019 fishing season in Southland.
Back country licences can be applied for online at www.fishandgame. org.nz.