Thread: snapper spawning

Originally Posted by stingray

A large catch of snapper was taken just off Nelson in the summer of 1977–78, but the Nelson Fisheries processing plant was closed for the Christmas holidays and much of the catch had to be dumped. Such incidents angered recreational anglers and fisheries scientists who felt that catches of large old snapper could not be sustained. The collapse of some inshore fish stocks, including snapper, in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to the introduction of the quota management system in 1986. This aimed to conserve fish stocks by limiting the total catch.
https://teara.govt.nz/files/p-5801-npm.jpg

I remember that article I was 15 at the time and thought it outrageous. Afterwards snapper fishing either by rod or set line or net became anon event in our part of Pelorus.

Scallop fishery was a longer slower decline but in my teens remember being woken by the sound of 20 boats trawling/tearing up the sea bed in our bay. Shore dived a few years back swam straight out for half a tank then back again didn’t see a single live scallop. Just a thick weed mat replacing the once clear mud bottom. Threw our dreg away.