Taranaki's commercial fishing operators are long lining close to shore after set nets were banned from October 1 to protect māui dolphins. A Taranaki commercial fishing boat owner says he is being been forced to target high-value fish species close to shore because of Government regulations to protect rare dolphin. Two New Plymouth-based commercial operators have been seen plying the coastline within hundreds of metres of city beaches. Stuff New Plymouth fisher Rob Ansley says new regulations protecting hector and maui dolphins have forced him to use long lines close to shore. “There is no issue with local commercial fisherman fishing within the regulations.

Source: Stuff October 11, 2020 16:30 UTC