December 2024 - 231 - The Fishing Paper and Hunting News
‘Sorry, but can we reschedule our ride? I can’t make it tomorrow,’ read the late-night message I cannot put hand on heart and swear I’m bitterly disappointed about the postponement. Not when the weather forecast predicts an unusually cool start to tomorrow. No, I’m not spilling tears at all!
Last weekend, in torrential rain and ice-laden chill, the pig dogs and I had partied hard. Dogging opportunities in late spring are rare and treasured. While other folk stayed indoors complaining about the dreadful conditions, we were scarpering about getting all saturated and hypothermic in pursuit of target species.
Together we’d wrestled a porker, whose heart blood had reddened a flooded stream amidst wind-thrown trees and rock outcrops. I’d dragged it well clear of the waterway to disembowel and prep it - a heavy load to recover from this gnarly place
Unbeknown to me I’d left my knife behind as I staggered away from the scene. My favourite knife, it kept sticker, skinner and boner. Its handle was an eye-catching bright green, very bright green, so bright it was impossible to lose, or so I had believed.
So, today, all four dogs and I were about to venture directly back to the gully with its wind-thrown trees and rock outcrops to recover the coveted knife Well, we were, until intuition altered my plan. Intuition route. Further, steeper and greener. There was an internal debate, short and silent. Intuition beat logic. The grass growing in ‘Intuition
Green Knife
Way’ was long and lush, it hid rocks and gutters and blackberry tangles but, as a positive, it was laden with dew, so heavily bedecked with overnight moisture it kept the dogs damp and cool.
At their level they were comfortable but up at mine I was copping swirls of a humid nor’ westerly wind. No time to dillydally then - the moment the dew
dogs would begin to overheat - as the sweat dribbling down my face indicated that I already was!
Kim Swan
transitioning air currents the young dogs detected the slightest scent.
high grass to investigate I paid them scant heed. I believed any pig worthy of interest would have vacated the gully already,
and dog carried on the wayward wind. Besides, there was still no evidence to suggest a pig had ventured this way in a long while A single ‘yip’ was all I heard at first. A tiny signal there was
There was no fresh pig sign. No evidence of recently cropped grass, no soft smelly grass-fed pig faeces. There were no trails evident in the dew. There was not even a wallow in the mud. Perhaps intuition had been telling ‘porkies.’
The airflow became ever more unpredictable. The super-heated equinoctial gales from the northern aspect collided with the cooler random wafts from the south. The katabatic and anabatic wavered undecidedly between down-draft and up-draft. On one of these ever-
The Fishing Paper & Hunting News
indeed a pig in the gully and the youngsters had found it. Seconds later the heavy breathing started and no, it was not me!
The old dogs are grey-faced and slow, their eyesight and hearing dulled by age but, with a “skitch ‘im” from me, they began to bounce, ears pricked and noses questing for a clue. Then, luckily, we three seniors all heard the growl of a dog holding hard and we accelerated as one. Boar on, here we come!
The old dogs arrived at the pig, which was clean-held by the two hard-working youngsters and then
changed little - the boar continued with his heavy breathing, no grunt, no squeal.
Teeter-tottering across the face I stumbled repeatedly on those obstacles so well hidden by the long grass. What began as contouring curved into a downhill slalom. I glimpsed the boar - small, black and tusky. He had an escape plan and was working solidly towards achieving it. Thrashing tusks left and right, teeth grinding on
between attack and defence, using the geography to his advantage.
The melee descended at speed. I could not keep pace, deciding instead to pick the safest route and arrive at the bottom ready to make my presence count.
Down where the terrain was kinder the dogs and the boar were feeling the heat. Their work rate had been terrific, both predators and prey had given their absolute all to tip the battle in their favour and they literally steamed. Canine heat exhaustion loomed large, and I hurriedly intervened to call a halt to the exertions.
So, it ended, all players of this game of life and death laying in various states of disrepair in the long, lush grass of the gully floor. The nor’ wester and the anabatic began to dominate. The morning sun marched ever upwards, the shadow of the ridge descending and warm sunlight seeking out every nook and cranny
Targeted by a horde of persistent blow flies we rallied and picked ourselves up from our prone positions. The boar prepped, my replacement knife sheathed, we ventured back the way we’d come The favourite green knife remained far afield, beside a creek, amongst the wind-thrown trees and rock outcrops. All is not lostand nor is the knife – I will retrieve it on another cool morning, my route dictated by either intuition or logic, another silent debate will decide
Proud Dad moment
My youngest boy, Jayden, is mad about fishing, maybe even more than I am; he comes fishing with me every chance he can. I had promised him an overnight trip up to D’urville for some time , but work, life, and the weather haven’t lined up until the weekend before last and being school holidays, all the ducks aligned, so we packed up the 650 and put it in the drink at Ōkiwi Bay then motored up to bottle point (one of my favourite places to fish).
Not long after arriving, I was sounding out the area and found some good snapper signs, so I told Jayden to drop down and see what was there Less than a minute later, he hooked into a nice fish.
A nice 10-pound snap was a great start. After a couple more around the same size, Jayden decided to catch the biggest blue cod I've seen! Or it would have been; the only problem was that it got taxed on the way up, but the head on it was massive.
We headed into Mill Arm for the night with a great feed in the chilly bin, laying some of Nelson Premium salt ice from Solid H2O. Had a feed, then hit the sack. The next morning, tides suited to fish for a kingfish
first up, so that’s what we did again bottle point. This time, it was my turn to catch a fish, so the jig went down, and up came a lovely king. We had a couple more drifts with no luck, so we decided to try to get some more snapper. And what happens? Jayden decides he wants to catch a decent kingfish on his 15-pound snapper set-up! After a lengthy battle with a few arm aches and pains, it was landed.
Now, if that wasn’t epic enough, what Jayden pulled up next shocked even me again on light snapper gear and the same jig that he was catching snapper, cod, and kingfish.
He gets the fish to the boat and
• The first is suitable for 22 Hornet through to 243 including, 222, 223, 22-250, 243.
• The second suppressor is suitable for 6.5 through to 30-06 including 6.5 prc, 270, 7mm-08, 284, 280, 308, 7.62 x 39 etc (not including 300 PRC or belted magnums).
• 9” in length (230mm), sits 4” forward & 5” back over the barrel (this is a “fixed” length and cannot be changed or added to) Weight 360 – 370grams (alu internal muzzlebrake 5-6,000 rnds)
• Colour - Black
Kevin Thomson
then says, “Dad, I don’t know what fish this is. “ And he normally knows his fish! I looked over, and what did I see? A puka! While fishing in about
shocked and stoked for him; his first hapuka—incredible!
With a very healthy looking bin of fish, we made the call to make our way home, but we had one more place to stop on our way home to try for a JD (spot x). Jayden wanted to try out his new birthday soft bait rod and reel, so down went a soft
bait. Seconds from it hitting the bottom, he was hooked, and yes, a nice john dory — brilliant. I just wanted to share this epic overnight trip up to the island. We are so lucky to have such an amazing fishery right at our doorstep. What makes it even more amazing is that I can share these moments with such an incredible young man who is now starting to outfish his old man.
Proud Dad
Mammoth Mission
A mammoth mission for the sake of some tasty wild mutton!. With the freezer getting low on red meat, it was panic stations. Noah and I desperately made a gap in our schedule and picked a spot before we ran out!
Friday afternoon after getting out of lectures, we chucked our
the drive straight into after work
we eventually got to put the boots to dirt and after a solid bit of graft arrived at the bivvy under headtorch.
A quick feed was consumed before we hit the hay, nervously excited for what was bound to be a long day on the hill.
Sure enough our beauty sleep
ourselves pushing through mountain beech destined for the tops and clearings above With venison on the hit list we put the bino’s to work and spent a few hours making our way down the ridge glassing, eyes peeled for a spring red skin out feeding in amongst the matagouri and dracophyllum.
We knew the area to have deer but also a breeding population of wild sheep so it wasn’t a surprise
when Noah mentioned a few white blobs moving through the scrub
We quickly decided to stalk these sheep as no deer had materialised and sure enough I managed to sneak in and shoot two rams! Not quite the big horned rams I was hoping to find but still awesome animals.
The sheer amount of meat on these big rams compared to the hogget I got last time is insane and these big woolies were in prime spring condition!
With bags significantly
fuller we decided Noah should have a crack but after several stalks only to find sheep bearing lambs, we were ready to give up. Sure enough, just as we got up to leave a young ram and ewe with a lamb appeared, Noah snuck into 30 metres and dropped another tasty wild sheep
Then began the walk out. Leaving late afternoon we knew it was gonna be a late one, sure enough we hobbled back to the van at 8.30pm.
Brilliant mist and some epic views! Freezer is looking a lot healthier now!
Product Review - Rush24 Backpack
The team from Nelson, who made the New Zealand IPSC teams in Bali in August, were lucky to get some support from Tactical Solutions in the way of 5 11 pants and a back pack each. I have used the 5.11 pants for a long time now and have found them to be hard wearing and suitable for both shooting and general wear, so I am happy to recommend them to anyone.
The pack was a new item for me to use and I found it to be of a high quality. This was obvious as soon as I unpacked them, (let’s just say the other three were lucky to get theirs). When we travel to away matches, where we can’t carry our standard bags the use of backpacks is the norm, but these bags were a great
improvement on what I have used in the past.
To work as a range bag or just work in general, for me they need plenty of pockets and pouches and the pack has heaps; to be honest it took me a while to find them all.
I like things to be held properly whether it’s the gun oils or the tools and other 'must haves' that we need in order to keep our gear and selves competing. It is important to me that I can find what I need when I need it, especially when I am away at a competition. Otherwise, delays can add to the pressures of the competition and there is enough of that just trying to get everything right each time. The size was perfect for what I carried without being too large, otherwise I tend to carry too much. The competition in Bali had the ranges split with
a short hike between the first 12 and the second 12 which meant a comfortable carry was important. It sat nicely on my back , whether I put it on properly or just over a single shoulder, old habits die slowly and I do this more than I should. I have not stopped using it since I got back and have already
been away to a New Zealand match with it.
In short, I was impressed when it first arrived and my respect for it has just grown. My thanks again to the team at Tactical Solutions for the support they gave the four of us with the sponsorship of such great gear So, if you are thinking of getting a day pack, give them a call they have a branch in Wellington and Auckland. If you can let them know that you read about their gear here, that would be appreciated.
I also have a small request to other business owners, when next looking at how to promote your company have a look around for the less obvious sports, and give them a go. It will help get your name out there as we have a large membership, and you will also win some good friends to sing your praise.
SHOOTING
Brian Bishop
It had been the weirdest Spring I can recall in many years. Rain is expected in this season here on the West Coast, but this year it was truly extreme; bringing rockfalls that closed state highways and flooded rivers. It was no time to take a boat out on the lake. Finally things have calmed down and we began to look for the first of the golden weather.
YR gave a good enough forecast for the last Wednesday of the month, so after making a cheese and onion
fish on my own if there’s nobody else free, in fact people often prefer I fish alone, particularly when I take cheese and onion sammies! While slicing the “tough cheese” for the sandwich I managed to slice my left hand 3rd finger. The first aid box came out and a patch went on. I hoped it wasn’t a bloody omen! It was spitting lightly on the way up the valley, but it stopped well before the lake and when I arrived there were no other vehicles in the trailer park and I had the lake to myself. One of the joys of living a long way from any city. The bay was a sheet of flat, dark glass and while 6 young paradise ducks sat mutely on the ramp, the air was filled with kingfisher’s repetitive piping and swan’s fluting calls as they led their fledglings away from this intruder. Meanwhile a hawk patrolled the swampy margins as it’s mate soared overhead peeping loudly and performing some astonishing aerobatics.
A fishing book that’s not altogether about fishing. Maybe that seems to be a bit of an oxymoron but let me explain:
I’ve often wondered why I got entangled in the fishing thread, but it’s followed me all through life. Following the thread through growing up as a kid in 1950s Christchurch, urban spread changing the landscapes and wildlife, through the various stages of learning fishing skills, on into a career, postings around NZ, the good old OE. Then home to the beautiful West Coast.
End of Spring Coastlines
Ivan Wilson
I saw a fish rise but it ignored the Hamills streamer, so a change was made to a nymph and not just any nymph. A good mate, lets call him Mark, had found some flies on line and thought I’d like them, so he put in a bid, winning them for only $6. The container itself would have been worth that, but there were several dozen nymphs in the box, so one was tied on and when a trout went cruising past I put the fly ahead of it and a feisty Brunner brownie was taken, netted and released. I messaged Mark to let him know his flies worked. Then a fish sloshed around the edges and sedges, but ignored the lure. Shortly another one was spotted on the feed with it’s tail thrashing the water. Out went the nymph again, the fish rushed over and it was game on until it came to the net and was released.
Lunch was taken in a favourite
“Fishing,
haunt and when that was done, I went into a nearby backwater that had been good in the past. There was a slight swirl to indicate a fish, it raced over to nab the nymph, proving itself to be quite the solid unit. It was also smart and knew every patch of weed and tree stump in the reach, as it straightaway went around both of the aforementioned obstacles. I thought I’d be able to get out of trouble by moving the boat around the tree to follow the fish, but it was to no avail. The
also lured me onto a mudbank and the Osprey was stuck fast, so it took a bit of sweat to finally extricate the Silver Frog. Once I’d rowed out of the backwater, the very light airs ceased altogether, the lake became glass flat again and all birdsong stopped. It was quite eerie for a while, but then the predicted winds from the west made their presence felt, the surface
a Thread” Ivan Wilson
became rippled and it became a good day so turned back to the getting the boat back on the trailer. It all went pear shaped so I reverted to the usual method which all took a bit of time. Just as well there were no other people waiting to launch their boats !. Once home my Wife and I pushed and pulled the boat up the slight incline in the yard and over the lip of the garage entrance and it was tucked away until next time, which given its in three days, will probably be Summer
Bring on the golden weather
our website for the full range
thread. Every tale told is totally and partially true!
Fishing a Thread explores other – it takes us to stunning locations, and comedy, yes there’s always some comedy spun into the fishing
Many people met alongside the waters feature, some of
whom miraculously appear in the numerous photos and all of them have left impressions, new understandings, skills and ideas to add to my Fishing Thread. A lot of these characters became great mentors, some when I was a lad, others came to light when we moved to The Coast and believe me they all added much flavour to the mix. Following the Fishing Thread for well in excess of half a century, has also given time to see some dire changes that have come to many of our waterways, so across the pages there are ideas around water quality and some reflection on the good
betterment of some areas. I also speak to the wonderful
writings that other passionate anglers have completed, referencing a few of the many that have influenced me with their eloquence. Overall perhaps it’s the human experience of going fishing has on well-being, as problems, tensions and stress fade into the background and you give yourself a chance to be renewed, when you make Fishing, a Thread in your life
Anyone wanting a copy of “Fishing, a Thread” can simply email me and I will reply with details.
ivanmurraywilson@gmail.com
See
The indexed rotating clamping system has 3 angle adjustments 12˚, 20˚, 25˚ always keeping your knife in the same place
In two previous articles we explored key developments in the contemporary history of the New Zealand rock lobster fisheries and the industries’ active role in these initiatives. This time, we focus on more winners, beginning with an ambitious collaboration led by the NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council (NZ RLIC), alongside Victoria University of Wellington and Seafood Innovations Ltd.
Population Dynamics
Rock lobster fisheries for Jasus Edwardsii are managed as nine separate stock units and for each of these there is an annual review of total allowable catches and total allowable commercial catches, informed by stock assessments. Stock assessments are done using complex mathematical models, which require accurate
sex distribution data and some underlying assumptions about the productivity and behaviour of lobster populations.
The broad aim of the industryinitiated and part-funded DNA
Investment and Innovation
Rock lobster industry commentator Daryl Sykes provides the third of a series of articles exploring initiatives from the industry
that recruitment in any given location likely originates from a broad and interconnected larval dispersal area.
There are, however, some environmentally influenced genetic traits that vary by location. Previous research suggests that evolutionary adaptations specific to local environments, which likely explains these subtle spatial in the rock lobster DNA profile
Despite these localized variations, the findings support the continued use of the nine-stock management approach, as the overall genetic connectivity across regions this broader spatial scale
Demonstrating the value of rock lobster fisheries helps managers assess the costs and benefits of management decisions. The industry aims to maximize economic returns by maintaining stock sizes above statutory levels and keeping catches within set Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits.
sequencing project was to use state-of the-art DNA markers (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs) to provide information on larval exchange patterns (connectivity) for New Zealand rock lobsters. The results allow the development of enhanced management strategies, new marketing, wild fishery enhancement and forensic opportunities over the next decade
This was the first species DNA profile completed in New Zealand and the first for a lobster species internationally. The project findings confirmed that New Zealand’s rock lobster population functions as a single, well-mixed species, with genetic data showing consistent gene flow across regions. This evidence suggests
Environment and Conservation
Mindful of their environmental responsibilities and building on a local initiative by the CRA5 Rock Lobster Industry Association (CRAMAC 5) the NZ RLIC actively promotes a Whale_Safe programme (https://nzrocklobster. co.nz/documents/whalesafe/) to assist pot and trap fishermen in avoiding and/or mitigating the risk of entanglements.
detailed insights into cetacean movements and behaviour, species identification through photos and illustrations, and gear-setting advice to prevent entanglements. The content was commissioned from Dr. Martin Cawthorn, a globally recognized expert in cetacean biology and behaviour
Constraining Illegal Catches and Black-market Sales
The quantities of rock lobsters illegally sold in New Zealand is currently suspected to be at high levels. In a move to stop this, Licensed Fish Receivers (LFRs) in the Auckland area are ‘horn tagging’ all packhorse lobsters that go through their premises for local sale. A white, numbered, security tag is attached to an antenna of each lobster. Each LFR maintains a register of the date and the tag numbers that have been sent to each of their customers, and these tag numbers will be included on every invoice. The tags are food safe. The tag, its inscription, and number should not and cannot be removed. The horn tagging programme lets Auckland consumers know that their product has come from a legitimate source and will allow easy identification
A similar programme was first trialled for the Kaikoura restaurant and hospitality trade in a voluntary initiative by CRAMAC 5 supported by the regional Ministry Compliance team.
Food Safety and Consumer
Confidence
Recognizing the reputational importance of meeting food safety and hygiene standards for rock lobsters, the NZ RLIC recently reviewed its national Biotoxin Risk Management Plan. Marine Biotoxins have been an issue in New Zealand since 1993. When a toxic algal bloom occurs, shellfish accumulate the toxins after feeding on the algae Rock lobsters can then accumulate the toxins in their digestive system as they feed on the toxic shellfish. There is no evidence that toxins accumulate in the muscle tissue that is eaten by consumers, however, many consumers also relish the head meat and gut contents of lobsters (also known as ‘the sauce’). This ‘sauce’ can be potentially very
dangerous if toxin accumulation is high.
The NZ RLIC developed a plan to respond to events when there is a risk to rock lobsters. This plan has been endorsed by MPI as the accepted way of managing the risk to food safety and to protect rock lobster export markets.
Animal Welfare
A feature of rock lobster fishing using traps and/or pots is the capture of male and female lobsters of various sizes, and at times, of female lobsters carrying external eggs. Those animals, and all under-sized rock lobsters must be immediately returned to the sea, preferably on suitable habitat. Handling damage to those lobsters, or predation on those discarded, can have consequences for future abundance and availability The rock lobster industry has undertaken several important initiatives to minimise both.
in pots was an industry driven process that has demonstrably reduced the numbers of undersized lobster hauled to the surface. Harvest and handling protocols, intended to produce the highest quality live lobsters for domestic and export markets, are constantly under review. Industry has made significant investments in post-harvest research throughout the auspices of the CRA8 (Southland) rock lobster industry
Two phases of research into harvest handling and transport techniques confirmed operational adjustments that have significantly improved the quality of lobsters landed to LFRs, and further reduced discard damage and/or losses. The successful techniques developed in CRA8 have since been progressively adopted as a standard across the industry.
Big Game Fishing is on in the South Island!
Matt Watson pulled a full house at Christchurch Hunting and Fishing recently delivering TUNACHAT thanks to big support from SHIMANO.
Anglers flocked in from far and wide including Hokitika,Blenheim and Timaru and sucked up every word of wisdom the 'fishing god' said.
For over two hours we were taken on a deep dive into the world of bluefin tuna and swordfish and a look at the abundance of these deep sea beasts and their accessibility in our local waters.
Dealing with the speed and sheer power of these pelagics when hooked is thrilling and addictive getting to that point takes planning and patience
Being migratory and in the water column means you need electronics good enough to pick up sign at depth...baitfish will hold
tuna and swords know that and search that line
Furuno Navnet fish finders and charts are intuitive touch screen tech that will give you all you need to increase your success.
present chances and depending on tide should create an upwell of food.
Matt encouraged looking at the moon phases and learning from
Wild food recipes with Marcus
The FISHO's Piz za
Howdy folks thought I’d introduce you to a quick and easy seafood pizza that will have your mates screaming for more!
BASE RECIPE
I like to use this definitive guide if I’m making fresh bases www stadlermade com/pizza-calculator or if you’re using store bought you can’t go past “TURKISH Thick Crust Pizza Base” in a pack of two
PIZZ A SAUCE
Lightly saute two tablespoons of finely cut garlic in olive oil with one tablespoon of “ORIGINAL” SMOKE & SPICE seasoning.
Add chopped chilli and two cans of chopped Italian tomatoes and cook for 20 minutes.
I love to add some chopped anchovies too TOPPINGS
Sauce your base and sprinkle with a light layer of mozzarella cheese
Pull the beards from the mussels and steam open and chop to your preferred size
Quickly set the chunky white fish pieces (firm fish) on olive oil under high heat…a couple of minutes should be enough
Spread the mussels and fish across your base and add any other goodies that take your fancy
The BIG RULE is to leave space between ingredients…less is more!
Place in hot oven and cook.
HOOK INTO IT
Splash on a nice squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a few basil leaves. Serve hot with a crisp cold glass of cider!
Maori traditions. When the moon is lit at the top looking down the kete is empty and when it is lit at the bottom and looking up it is full.
On Matt’s Ultimate Fishing TV you’ll find guides covering lure selections and how to set up for trolling,tying,splicing etc.
A big take out was that you need to be careful….if you’ve got a 200kg + Sword slashing around on the deck and capable of shredding teak you
getting rid of obstacles like lures not in use keep the deck clear
The other point was that by buying really good gear you buy time to learn.If your gear is weak its going to get busted up if you’re a novice to big game fishing.
Finally Matt pointed out that most fish are lost in the last and general excitement means decisions are rushed….take your time.
Matt thought February would be the start for the Swords here in the Sth Island.Good luck and remember tag and release could be helpful to future of the fishery.
$2500 in SHIMANO product was handed out in a prize draw with all ticket sale proceeds going to Canterbury Coastguard. The major prize was the SHIMANO Tiagra 50W LSR with SHIMANO Xitus rod worth $1000.
Cheers and Enjoy
Marcus
Int’l Kiwi Chef quite good with rod and gun
For decades the “mosquito fleet” made up of smaller commercial fishing boats, and even smaller recreational craft, have targeted southern bluefin tuna and swordfish following the larger factory trawlers; attracted by the trail of burley found in the wake of these ships. This has often resulted in some very close and ‘hair-raising’ interactions between vessels and the fishing gear these fishing ships use
Mainland’s West Coast in an area known as the “Hokitika Trench”, a small, open aluminium craft around 5m length over all (LOA) got her outboard motor entangled in the ropes of a pelagic trawl on the surface behind a 104.5 metre factory trawler in the process of “shooting away”. In brief, the boat was being towed backwards, swamped, with the two occupants having bailed. Fortunately, they were quickly picked out of the briny by a nearby rec fisher who heard their cries.
While the father and son lived to see another day, they lost a great deal of money with the loss of their boat and motor, and no doubt cell phones, car keys and facing a “please explain” from ‘er indoors when they got home Not to mention I expect, quizzed at length by their insurance company. I have subsequently heard that neither were wearing life jackets.
when seeing the empty craft in their net. Immediately alerting all vessels in the area via the designated emergency radio channels of Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Man Overboard etc, they feared they had inadvertently drowned any number of recreational fishermen, whose actions they had no control over. The Rescue Coordination Centre was also alerted.
I write this article as a former Skipper of a deep-sea factory freezer trawler with many decades of fishing for hoki in and around the Hokitika Trench where I have personally lost a great deal of hair because of close encounters of the maritime kind. My comments are my own and I do not speak for, or on behalf of, any company or organisation.
New Zealand is one of the few countries where you can go and buy something that floats, head out to sea, without that craft being registered, without lifesaving appliances (LSA) or fire fighting appliances (FFA) or the operator holding any form of Certificate of Competency (CoC).
Unfortunately, it matters not whether you’re in command of a dingy, canoe, windsurfer, jet ski, 5m aluminium fizz boat, trailer sailor or super yacht, you are bound by the International Collision Regulations (ColRegs) or Rule Part 22 as we know it, even if you don’t hold a CoC in any capacity, with a restriction or otherwise
So, as the captain of your craft, you are required to know and understand your obligations under the ColRegs. Ignorance of the ColRegs is no excuse because you can’t hide behind ‘I don’t have a ticket’
If you have a Certificate of Competency (CoC), there may be conditions or restrictions where and when and what size craft you can operate Your insurance company may also impose conditions or limit your cover on where and when you can operate
Under the ColRegs every vessel must show the lights and shapes for its size and exhibited from sunset to sunrise, during the day in restricted visibility and in all other circumstances where it is considered necessary.
This chart shows the range of the lights you must display
A fishing vessel when engaged in fishing operations, in addition to her navigation lights, must display the correct lights and shapes for a vessel when engaged in fishing, otherwise she is just a power-driven vessel.
A vessel engaged in fishing are, and when that ship is trawling, will display additional lights to show they are hauling, shooting or fast upon an obstruction.
A Fishing Vessel (FV) engaged in trawling making way, showing additional lights when Shooting the gear Hauling the gear Fast upon an obstruction
What was that noise? Could you recognise the “manoeuvring signals” and what they indicate if they also use their typhon (ships horn or whistle) to indicate they’re turning to port, starboard or going astern? If you don’t for heavens’ sake, find out what they are. So, just because you are dangling a line over the side, or trolling with a lure, does not mean you are engaged in fishing unless you display all the lights and shapes of a vessel engaged in fishing as defined by the ColRegs.
If you don’t, or can’t, you are by definition still just a power-driven vessel and thus required to keep clear of a vessel under oars or a sailing vessel (SV), a fishing vessel (FV), a vessel restricted in their ability to manoeuvre (RAM), constrained by her draft (CBD) or not under command (NUC). Now for the comms part. Recreational boats only need a unique call sign and the operator needs a qualification (usually just Coastguard Operator ticket) under the Radiocommunications Regulations General User Radio Licence for Maritime Purposes or GURL 6 (3), but there is no requirement for you to monitor VHF Ch16, which I personally think is crazy. However, that’s just me, because Rule 43 requires commercial ships to do so, thus they will use VHF channel 16 to establish initial inter-ship communications and to transmit or receive warnings, so a prudent skipper should be monitoring this channel 24/7
If you have a VHF but you’re using another frequency to talk amongst yourselves, make sure you have the “Dual Watch” function activated so calls or alerts coming over VHF channel 16 will be received.
“Oh, but I only have a cell phone ” Then I suggest more fool you. Is it waterproof ? More importantly how are you going to communicate or receive warnings when no one has a clue what your phone number is or you’re out of cell phone coverage?
While I understand a report has been filed with MNZ by the company operating the large factory trawler, this article is not about pointing the finger or suggesting who is to blame, rather to educate those taking part in the bluefin gold rush of the risks and hazards in doing so when working close in and around these commercial fishing ships. Vessels over 46m LOA are required to keep outside the 25 nautical mile limit.
Within the hoki fishery you will encounter fresh fish (the smaller, inshore ice boats) and factory trawlers, both using one of two types of trawls, either bottom or pelagic. They may have the ability to change from one to the other if the fishing conditions dictate, i.e. if the fish are hard down or above the bottom in the middle water.
trawl blocks through which the warps run. How high these trawl blocks are above the water and whether they’re towing a bottom trawl, or a pelagic (mid-water) trawl will determine what angle and how far back the trawl warps enter the wake behind the ship
Their towing speeds which can vary from two to three knots to upwards of four to six knots will also play a part on this distance
There are also many obstructions ‘sticking out’ from a trawler, including:
• bright coloured droppers or streamers to restrict birds from getting too close to the warps. The construction and length of these booms and droppers will vary from ship to ship,
• Tori lines or streamers which may extend some way astern of the ship,
with bright streamers and a buoy at the end,
• Net monitor booms, generally midships, with a rubber coated cable on the end of which is a paravane / transceiver below the surface to receive electronic signals from net monitoring devices,
• Flopper Stoppers – very solid booms and ‘birds’ aka paravanes designed to slow and minimise the rolling period of smaller vessels. Not seen on the larger fishing ships.
Overboard discharges from factory processing decks on automatic bilge systems can start up instantly without warning. The height above water of this overboard discharge, and the volume and throw , which can be up to two metres , will fill a small boat to the gunnels within seconds. I have seen this. While somewhat amusing for me looking down from on high, it's smelly, full of nasty bits , unless you’re a seabird , very wetting and potentially hazardous for those it happens to
With the deeper drafts and towing speeds of the larger trawlers, there is a very real risk of being sucked into the wake, and under the counter of these vessels, with little you can do about it thereby placing your craft in a very awkward and hazardous situation under ramp. The trawl warps which may be as thick as 28 to 32 millimetres diameter, or more, are under a great deal of tension. On the larger vessels as high as 20 tonnes. These wires won’t even flinch should you contact them. They’ll flip you or cut you in half in the blink of an eye.
And might I suggest no swimmer can compete with the suction and wash from these large ships. You’ll be pulled down into the prop At best you’ll be tumbled about like a sock in a washing machine and spat out 50 metres, 100 metres astern and I’m not sure you could hold your breath that long.
Depending on where the fish marks are and how many vessels are working them, room to manoeuvre becomes an issue so you will find that fishing ships about to shoot their gear who appear to be steaming flat out and away from you, may suddenly come hard about and turn back on to a reciprocal heading, “do a 180” and “shoot away” towards you when you least expect it.
Or they may slow down and “shoot away” the net and bridles and with the trawl doors hanging in the gallus, then turn through 180 degrees. During this procedure, their gear will be on the surface broadly following in the arc of the wake during the turn until they pay away the warps taking the trawls doors and the fishing gear down to the target fishing depth.
If the fishing ship is using a bottom trawl, considering the length of the sweep wires and bridles, the net itself with the lengtheners and cod ends, probably won’t extend that far behind the stern and may sink below the surface quickly and relatively close to her stern during the shooting process. The same applies when hauling the gear back. The doors come up to the gallus, then there’s the sweeps, bridles, the net and cod ends. The net will almost certainly be on the surface particularly if the cod ends are full providing a good deal of drag.
if the fishing ship is using a pelagic trawl. The top and bottom bridles of the larger trawls may be up to 200 metres or more. The nets, composed of ropes in the forepart where the mesh sizes can be as large as 32 metres, even 64 , and the body of the trawl to the tip of the cod ends could be 300 to 400 metres in length!
At night while a smaller fishing ships deck lights will illuminate a bottom trawl hanging out the back and to some degree a smaller pelagic trawl, the bulk of the body of the larger pelagic trawls will at best be very poorly illuminated , if at all , by the stern working or spots lights given the length of the gear.
The situation is further exacerbated and extremely dangerous during the hours of darkness when a large fishing ship is using a pelagic trawl and turning on the doors. While the net will tend to follow in an arc mimicking the wake, it’ll almost certainly not be illuminated by back light scatter from deck lights or a rear facing spotlight at all.
When turning on the doors, the top and bottom bridles leading aft from the top and bottom corner of the trawl doors won’t be following the wake but cutting sideways through the water. If there’s any kind of lift (swell), these wires will be submerged one moment then suddenly slicing vertically out of the water quivering, humming under the strain. Should one, or both hit you, its lights out.
Thus, it is extremely important that you are continuously listening to VHF 16 for warnings issued by these fishing ships and that you understand what lights up the mast are alerting you to, and listening for the manoeuvring signal and what it is telling you.
the Watch (OOW) on the bridge to clarify what he is intending to do. They are human, well fed and won’t bite
When stopped she turns her sidelights and stern light off
You need to also be aware you are a very small target in a great big sea of blackness. When coming close in alongside or under the bows consider yourself to be invisible, particularly at night. The lights you display , green, red and white , fitted to your craft may be what is required under the ColRegs for a craft your size operating within the ‘usual’ areas, but on the high seas are woefully inadequate.
I know as a motorcyclist it’s up to me to make myself visible and not rely on other to see me. The same applies to you.
Be aware your radar signature may also be extreme poor and easily lost in sea or rain clutter or amongst the plethora of other targets of rec boats fishing around you. Automatic Identification System (AIS) is perhaps the most important LSA you could fit to your craft. Ships fitted with AIS will see you as an icon on their radar display and / or chart plotters even if they can’t physically see you with the naked eye or glasses.
Be aware that even though the wheelhouse of most fishing ships will be blacked out at night, the OOW’s night vision is still compromised because of the back light from bright working lights. Your miniscule running lights probably won’t be seen even if they’re looking in your direction.
As the captain, skipper or ‘Old Man’ of your craft you must also know that the Colregs state quite clearly under Rule part 22.5: Every vessel must at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk of collision. There is absolutely no room for ambiguity with this one and it is in force no matter what you’re doing, whether underway, stopped, dangling a line over the side or drifting at night stacking a few zzzd’s.
Speaking of which, the practice of drifting so everyone can get a bit of shut eye, does not mean you and your boat meet or fit the criteria of a vessel ‘Not Under Command’ as described by the ColRegs. You are still a power-driven vessel. You are underway, just not making way, and as such you must still show the navigation lights of a vessel of your length, and you must still be able to manoeuvre to keep clear of another vessel as required under the Colregs, including a vessel engaged in fishing. Which means someone has to remain awake on watch and able to manoeuvre your boat as required by Rule 22, because should there be an unexpected bump in the night, I’d suggest your insurance company will be rubbing their hands in glee having just been handed a “get out of jail, free” card, and collecting the $200 for “passing go”
Lastly, there is no shelter at all if the weather changes or the Grey, Westport or Hokitika bars cut up rough. Where are you going to go? Do you have the fuel to get there? Do you have the most current, up-to-date and corrected paper or electronic navigational charts (ENC) for your area of operation? Are you aware of any temporary corrections for your area of operation posted in the latest fortnightly Notices to Mariners? Does your insurance company know where you are operating and are you covered within the contractual agreement? Have you told them?
The captains of these commercial fishing ships, large or small, fishing inside or outside “the line” are like me, husbands, fathers, uncles and brothers. They don’t want to catch you (they don’t have the quota) and they certainly don’t want to be responsible or play a part in the sinking, possible injury or heaven forbid, the loss of life when things go pear shaped. I know the Master of the trawler involved in this incident. He is a quiet, very funny and very professional mariner, and a good friend. He and his
be that way
I have caught Southern Blues with hand lines. It’s bloody exciting and ‘bloody’ when your gloves tear or burn through. The fishery is going from strength to strength. Anecdotally I’ve been told the bluefin are like sandflies, they’re everywhere and word is out, and the gold rush is on, that there are upwards of 30 boats on trailers in the Blaketown lagoon waiting for a weather window
All I ask is those heading down to catch these critters think about your actions in and around these fishing ships, consider your limitations particularly with the size and design of your craft. Know your responsibilities under the ColRegs (even if you don’t hold a ticket in any capacity you are bound by them) and understand the risks involved with getting too close particularly around the stern and especially with the larger ones.
And for heaven’s sake, if you’re unsure, use your VHF and ask these boats what I can do, where can I do it and when is it safe to do it!
Chris Carey
Chris started in the fishing industry as a lab technician / observer for the
At sea for the summer measuring fish and collecting biological data, he then jumped to the ‘dark side’ as a deckhand on the Michelangelo and sailed Western Ranger (my wife spent her honeymoon on her with me) with a bit of
In 2005 after 20 years with Amaltal mainly as skipper, he joined IFL as the at college then a return to the fishing industry, coming full circle to work
So in his words he now " looks after all the LSA, FFA and GMDSS side of things, safety and MOSS surveys, training, MNZ liaison, H&S, a bit of the dry docking, some MPI compliance, truck driving and forklift operation...A general dogs body"
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send to editor@thefishingpaper.co.nz
Chris Carey SDSFV, 2MFG
Mine's bigger than yours
Image Boats builder Aari(right) and his mate looking pretty stoked at Milford. They’re on Aari’s 7 75m Image Fishmaster,2 7m beam (getting well used here) and powered by 250hp Suzuki. www.imageboats.co.nz
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Warthog knife sharpeners are legendary… robust design,simple to use,razor sharp blade finish,replacement parts and compact.
Whether you’re taking out backstraps,prepping shashimi or crying over onions Warthog is your friend, and will always give you the edge!
Adjustable guides and bevel angles means you can customise your blade finish to your knife’s use
Warthog speeds up sharpening with its unique “V” design sharpening both sides at the same time
Long-lasting diamond hones in grits of 270-1000 quickly drop into place as needed.
A ceramic hone is used on serrated blades. Consistency of edge during sharpening is the aim of the game and the Warthog design guarantees that. www.knifesharpners.nz
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Optically Speaking December 2024
Well, it’s that time of year again. Snarlers on the bbq, a few drinks with mates and special family times. I remember that as a young adult, Christmas seemed to lose a lot of its significance, in part due to its over commercialisation. However, when I had kids, this all changed. Children’s excitement for Christmas is infectious and brings back the real meaning of families, togetherness and the fond memories of the distant past.
Equipment maintenance
Pulsar thermals are designed and manufactured for reliability and lasting service. However, like any piece of equipment, they need care. This is a shortlist of routine maintenance
Batteries
These are often the most overlooked items, especially when fitted permanently inside a device
All rechargeable batteries require a charge when not used, which is equally true for Lithium batteries as it is for car batteries. If your rechargeable battery is run flat, make sure it is recharged as soon as practical.
Some Pulsar optics, such as the Merger, Thermion and Digex, have an internal back-up battery which also needs charging. Occasionally, batteries that have been left uncharged for a prolonged period, circumstance, try charging the battery as normal, but periodically
which will usually restore the battery. It’s all about getting that initial charge that will enable the battery to function as normal.
Cleaning lenses
If your objective and eyepiece lenses become dirty, always remove any dirt and grit carefully before
cleaning. This can be done with a blower brush or soft lens wipe Once you are satisfied that no abrasive material is on the lens, use a lens cloth to carefully clean the lens. Gently breathing on the lens and cleaning from the centre to the edge is a technique that I’ve used for many years on my optics.
Storage
When packing your device away for a while, always removed batteries and store in a dry environment. Remember that the waterproof IPX7 rating only applies to a device when the battery is fitted. Clean the body of the device with a damp cloth, then wipe dry
Spare parts and servicing
Spare parts such as lens caps, eyepiece rubbers, straps and batteries are available from Advanced Optics. Get your device into tip-top condition well before it is
needed to optimise performance
We are often contacted by customers who still use older Pulsar models. A Pulsar thermal is a long-term investment, that, when looked after, provides many years of trouble-free service
Advanced Optics has a factory trained technician who can fix and tasks are repaired in the factory Pulsar clearance sale
Pulsar update their product line frequently We have demo models and back-up stock for current products that we sell at very reasonable prices when new models are launched. Visit our website for current and clearance products, www.advancedoptics.nz
Have a great festive period from the team at Advanced Optics, your New Zealand Pulsar specialists.
ADVANCED OPTICS TEAM
Festive Greetings from left: Zac, Jayden, Paul, Lisa, Ant, Christine, Johanna, Annette, Jo
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Rules reminder for Marlborough Sounds blue cod ahead of the summer break
The Marlborough Sounds blue cod fishery reopens on 20 December, and as with previous years the region will see a large number of locals and visitors on the water fishing over the holiday period.
Fisheries New Zealand has recently consulted on proposed changes for the Marlborough Sounds blue cod fishery, which if approved, will come into force from the end of 2025. These proposals are aimed at reducing high fishing pressure and ensuring long-term sustainability for the fishery. More information can be found at www mpi govt.nz/bluecodreview
Fisheries New Zealand is encouraging fishers to help the sustainability of the fishery this summer by:
• Ensuring you are up to date on and following the blue cod fishing rules.
• Consider targeting other
Selling recreationally caught seafood, undersize and too much pāua, kina, cockles and taking prohibited toheroa earn big fines
A 57-year-old Auckland man was fined $800 in the Auckland District Court for taking 302 cockles. In May this year, the man had his catch
Shelly Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. The daily limit is 50 cockles per person in this area.
species instead to give blue cod a break. Other species like gurnard, snapper, kahawai, or kingfish can be found away from rocky reefs.
• Don’t feed the shags – if you are catching small cod move on.
• Maximise the survival rate of undersized blue cod you are releasing by following fish handling best practices and methods.
A 30-year-old Hastings man was fined $800 in the Waitakere District Court for taking 40 pāua from Mangakuri Beach at Hawkes Bay. The man was stopped and had his in April last year. The daily limit for pāua in this area is 10 per person.
A 57-year-old Otaki man was fined $2,200 in the Porirua District Court for both being in possession of recreationally caught pāua intended
• You can see guidelines at www. mpi govt.nz/bluecodguidelines
Marlborough Sounds blue cod rules:
• Daily limit: two per fisher, includes any fish eaten aboard a boat.
• Minimum size: 33cm (must be landed whole or gutted in a measurable state).
• Maximum possessed: two daily limits (four fish per fisher caught across two or more days).
• Maximum hooks: two per line
• Closed areas: Maud Island, Double Cove, Long Island Marine Reserve, Cook Strait Cable Zone
and about inspecting vessels and catches throughout the Marlborough region, so make sure you know the rules to avoid catching a fine instead of a feed this summer
for sale, along with numerous investigating his behaviour between January and April last year, found the man had 20 pāua he intended to sell, along with evidence of pāua sales where he had received about $400. It is illegal to sell recreationally caught seafood.
A 33-year-old Wellington man was fined $1500 in the Porirua District Court for taking 52 pāua from
Fisheries New Zealand District Manager, Stuart Moore, says expect to see a strong visual presence
region over the summer
“Blue cod is a popular fish to catch by locals and visitors. We’ll be at the boat ramps and on the water, checking people’s catch. If everyone follows the rules – it’ll help keep blue cod sustainable into the future so that everyone can have the chance to put fresh kaimoana on the dinner table ”
“Knowing your fishing rules will ensure you have a good day out. The best thing to do is to download the free NZ Fishing Rule mobile app. Once downloaded, it’ll work anywhere, including in areas where you can’t get mobile coverage ”
Another way of helping to protect our fisheries is to report any suspicious fishing you might witness to 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or poacher@mpi govt.nz
Hongoeka Bay in January this year.
Hongoeka Bay in January this yea and 50 of the pāua were under the legal size of 125mm and he exceeded the daily catch limit of If you’re unsure of the fishing rules in the area you plan to fish – get the most up to date fishing rules downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will also work if you’re fishing in an area with limited mobile coverage.
and 50 of the pāua were under the legal size of 125mm and he exceeded the daily catch limit of 5. If you’re unsure of the fishing rules in the area you plan to fish – get the most up to date fishing rules by downloading the free NZ Fishing Rules mobile app. It will also work if you’re fishing in an area with limited mobile coverage.
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WE
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