Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Act 2019

1: Title
This Act is the Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Act 2019.
2: Commencement
This Act comes into force on the day after the date it receives the Royal assent.
3: Principal Act
This Act amends the Conservation Act 1987 principal Act 2019-10-22 Conservation Act 1987
1: Amendments to Conservation Act 1987
4: Section 2 amended (Interpretation)
1: In section 2(1) freshwater fish freshwater fish
a: all species of Anguillidae Anguilla Gobiomorphus
b: all species of Echyridella
c: all species of Paranephrops
d: Cheimarrichthyidae Cheimarrichthys fosteri
e: Geotridae Geotria australis
f: Gobiidae Acentrogobius pflaumii
g: Microdesmidae Parioglossus marginalis
2: In section 2(1) indigenous fish
3: In section 2(1) declared spawning area section 26ZJA indigenous freshwater fish national park Treaty settlement legislation
5: Section 17J amended (Freshwater fisheries management plans)
1: In section 17J(1) areas or throughout all New Zealand
2: In section 17J(4) area or throughout all New Zealand
6: Section 26ZG amended (Application of Part)
Replace section 26ZG(2)﻿(c)
c: the taking, holding, possession, sale, or disposal of freshwater fish by—
i: a person who is specifically authorised under the Fisheries Act 1996 or any regulations made under that Act; or
ii: a person who is specifically authorised under any regulations made under section 48B of this Act; or
iii: a person acting under the authority of a registration of a fish farmer under Part 9A of the Fisheries Act 1996; or
iv: a person who is specifically authorised by or under Treaty settlement legislation.
7: New sections 26ZHA to 26ZHD and cross-heading inserted
After section 26ZH Indigenous freshwater fish
26ZHA: Approval under specified Acts to access public land is not approval for recreational fishing of indigenous freshwater fish
1: An approval under this Act or an Act listed in Schedule 1 that enables access to public land for recreation purposes is not of itself an approval for recreational fishing of indigenous freshwater fish in any fisheries water on that land.
2: In subsection (1)
26ZHB: Prohibitions and restrictions on taking of indigenous freshwater fish
1: A person must not take any indigenous freshwater fish from a conservation area except in accordance with an authorisation given under section 26ZHC(1)﻿(a) or 26ZHD
2: A person may take indigenous freshwater fish from freshwater that is not a conservation area or part of a conservation area only if—
a: the person takes the fish in accordance with an authorisation given under section 26ZHC(1)﻿(b) or 26ZHD
b: the person takes the fish—
i: primarily as food for human consumption, including for sale as food for human consumption; and
ii: in accordance with any regulations or notice made under this Act; or
c: the person—
i: takes the fish from the waters in a manner that does not lead to its injury or death; and
ii: returns the fish to those waters as soon as practicable after taking it; and
iii: at all times until the fish is returned, keeps the fish in close proximity to the waters, the person, and any fishing device used to take the fish.
3: A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2)
26ZHC: Director-General may authorise taking of indigenous fish on application
1: The Director-General may, on application, give a person written authorisation to take indigenous freshwater fish—
a: from a conservation area if the Director-General is satisfied that the activity is consistent with the purpose for which the land is held and any requirements in regulations have been met; or
b: from a freshwater area that is not a conservation area or part of a conservation area if the Director-General is satisfied that the activity is consistent with the management of freshwater fisheries in that area and any requirements in regulations have been met.
2: An authorisation may be subject to any conditions or restrictions specified by the Director-General.
26ZHD: Director-General may authorise taking of indigenous fish by
Gazette
1: The Director-General may, by notice in the Gazette
2: The notice must specify—
a: the kind of indigenous fish that may be taken; and
b: the area from which the fish may be taken; and
c: the manner in which the fish may be taken.
3: An authorisation may be subject to any conditions or restrictions specified by the Director-General.
4: A notice under this section is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.
8: New cross-heading above section 26ZJ inserted
After section 26ZI Spawning fish
9: Section 26ZJ replaced (Offences relating to spawning fish)
Replace section 26ZJ
26ZJ: Offences relating to spawning fish
1: Every person commits an offence who—
a: contravenes section 26ZJA(3)
b: without authorisation, disturbs or injures the eggs or larvae of any freshwater fish:
c: without authorisation, takes or has possession of the eggs or larvae of any freshwater fish:
d: disturbs any sports fish that are congregating or have congregated to spawn:
e: with any spear, gaff, speargun, net, trap, or similar device takes any sports fish from any river or stream where sports fish are congregating or have congregated for spawning:
f: while in the vicinity of any river or stream where sports fish are congregating or have congregated for spawning, has possession or control of any spear, gaff, speargun, trap, or similar device or material suitable for the taking of any sports fish, in circumstances likely to result in the taking of sports fish.
2: Subsection (1)﻿(a) to (c)
3: Subsection (1)﻿(d) to (f)
4: In this section, authorisation section 26ZJA(4) or (5)
26ZJA: Director-General may declare spawning area
1: The Director-General may, by notice in the Gazette
a: is being used for the spawning of freshwater fish; or
b: is suitable for the spawning of freshwater fish.
2: Without limiting subsection (1)
3: A person must not carry out an activity in a declared spawning area that disturbs or is reasonably likely to disturb the area unless—
a: the Director-General has given authorisation under subsection (4) or (5)
b: the person complies with any conditions or restrictions specified in the authorisation.
4: The Director-General may, by notice in the Gazette
a: the activity would have no more than a minor effect on the suitability of the area for the spawning of freshwater fish; or
b: the activity is necessary for the restoration of the area; or
c: the purpose of the activity outweighs any adverse effect it may have on the spawning of freshwater fish in the area.
5: The Director-General may, on application, give a person written authorisation to carry out a specified activity in a declared spawning area that disturbs or is reasonably likely to disturb the area if the Director-General is satisfied that—
a: subsection (4)﻿(a), (b), or (c)
b: any requirements in regulations have been met.
6: An authorisation under subsection (4) or (5)
7: In this section, an activity disturbs a declared spawning area
a: disturbs the spawning of freshwater fish in the area; or
b: makes the area less suitable for the spawning of freshwater fish in the area.
8: A notice under subsection (4) Various restrictions relating to fishing and aquatic life
10: Section 26ZL amended (Restrictions on fishing)
Repeal section 26ZL(1)﻿(a)
11: Section 26ZM amended (Transfer or release of live aquatic life)
1: In section 26ZM(2)﻿(a) sites locations
2: In section 26ZM(4)﻿(a) shall must, unless subsection (4A)
3: After section 26ZM(4)﻿(c)
d: if the live aquatic life that is to be transferred or released is a species of sports fish, at least 10 working days before the Minister decides whether to give approval,—
i: the Director-General must give written notice to the Fish and Game Council for the region or regions in which the transfer or release of the sports fish is to take place; and
ii: the Minister must have regard to any comments provided by the Fish and Game Council within the time frame specified in that notice.
4: After section 26ZM(4)
4A: The Director-General may, at the request of the applicant, determine that compliance with subsection (4) is not required if satisfied that the proposed activity is unlikely to have an adverse effect on the freshwater fishery concerned.
12: Section 26ZP amended (Determination of closed seasons for fishing)
1: Replace section 26ZP(1) to (3)
1: The Director-General may, by notice,—
a: determine a closed season for fishing 1 or more species of freshwater fish (other than sports fish) in an area for a period not exceeding 5 years; or
b: extend or vary a determination or vary a determination that has been extended so long as the total period of the closed season does not exceed 5 years.
2: A notice—
a: must state the purpose of the closed season, the species of fish and the area to which the closed season applies, and the duration of the closed season; and
b: does not take effect until the Director-General has published the notice for at least 2 consecutive Saturdays in 1 or more of the daily newspapers circulating in the area concerned.
3: A person commits an offence who, without authorisation under this section, takes, possesses, or in any way injures or disturbs a fish to which a closed season applies.
2: In section 26ZP(5) sports fish fish
3: After section 26ZP(5)
6: The Director-General may, on application, give a person written authorisation to take fish to which a closed season applies if satisfied that—
a: the taking of the fish is consistent with the purpose of the closed season; and
b: the person has met the requirements (if any) set out in regulations.
7: An authorisation may be subject to any conditions or restrictions specified by the Director-General or in regulations.
13: Section 26ZR amended (Using hazardous substances to catch or destroy fish)
Replace section 26ZR(2)﻿(a)
a: a fish and game ranger or an employee or a contractor of the Department; or
14: Section 48 amended (Regulations)
1: In section 48(1)﻿(a) issued or authorisations to be given
2: In section 48(1)﻿(b) or permits permits, or authorisations
3: In section 48(3) section that relate to a conservation area
15: Section 48A amended (Special regulations relating to freshwater fisheries)
1: In section 48A(1) Council, on the recommendation of the Minister,
2: Replace section 48A(1)﻿(f)
f: regulating or prohibiting—
i: the taking of any specified freshwater fish, including any method of taking that fish; and
ii: the use, possession, or sale of any specified freshwater fish:
3: After section 48A(1)﻿(n)
na: prohibiting, restricting, or regulating any structure or alteration to a water body that could impede or affect the passage of freshwater fish or specified freshwater fish ( see
4: After section 48A(1)﻿(q)
r: in relation to indigenous freshwater fish,—
i: specifying activities that are reasonably likely to injure or kill specified indigenous freshwater fish; and
ii: regulating, restricting, or imposing conditions on those specified activities that are reasonably necessary to prevent the killing or injuring of those fish; and
iii: specifying indigenous freshwater fish that are endangered and restricting or prohibiting the taking of those fish:
s: specifying any requirements that must be met by a person seeking an authorisation under section 26ZHD, 26ZJA(5), or 26ZP(6)
t: imposing conditions or restrictions that apply to an authorisation under section 26ZP
u: specifying freshwater fish that are noxious fish and providing for their control, regulation, or prohibition:
v: imposing reporting requirements relating to the taking, injuring, killing, use, possession, or sale of specified freshwater fish.
5: After section 48A(1)
1A: Before making any recommendation under subsection (1), the Minister must consult any person or organisation that the Minister considers is likely to be substantially affected by, or will be representative of the interests of people likely to be substantially affected by, the regulations.
6: After section 48A(4)
5: Subsection (6)
a: a provision relating to indigenous freshwater fish in regulations made under subsection (1)﻿(b), (f)
b: a provision in Treaty settlement legislation, or a provision in regulations relating to Māori fishing rights made under the Fisheries Act 1996.
6: If this subsection applies, a provision described in subsection (5)﻿(b) subsection (5)﻿(a)
16: Section 51F amended (Offences relating to spawning fish)
1: Replace section 51F(1)﻿(a)
a: disturb a declared spawning area within the meaning of section 26ZJA(7)
2: In section 51F(1)﻿(c) have take or
3: After section 51F(1)﻿(c)
ca: disturb any sports fish that are congregating or have congregated to spawn; or
4: In section 51F(1)﻿(d) take, with a spear, gaff, speargun, net, trap, or similar device, with any spear, gaff, speargun, net, trap, or similar device, take
17: Schedule 1AA amended
In Schedule 1AA
2: Provisions relating to Conservation (Indigenous Freshwater Fish) Amendment Act 2019
2: Interpretation
In this Part, commencement date
3: Taking of fish in accordance with prior authorisations not affected
Section 26ZHB
4: Application of section 26ZHB(1) to whitebait fishing in conservation areas delayed
1: Until the date that the first notice under section 26ZHD section 26ZHB(1)
2: The notice described in subclause (1)
5: Application of
section 26ZHB Section 26ZHB
6: Application of regulations made under
section 48A(1)﻿(na) Regulations made under section 48A(1)﻿(na)
2: Amendments to Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983
18: Amendments to Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983
Amend the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983 Schedule 2019-10-22 Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983