Sea-run salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, are one of New Zealand’s most iconic and prized sport fish.

Salmon populations are at critically low levels currently requiring the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish and Game Councils to explore further regulation options, in addition to the season bag limit, that enable a greater proportion of the run to spawn. Changes to the regulations may impact your fishing activities and your sea-run salmon fishery values, so we are seeking your feedback to support future decision-making. 

 

Want to provide feedback and participate in the survey? Use this link: Salmon Consultation Survey Link

Note: Survey link opens on 01/01/2026 at 12:00 am NZST and closes on 31/01/2026 at 11:59 pm NZST

 

What is Fish & Game Seeking Feedback On? 

Fish & Game is seeking your feedback on a variety of potential regulatory changes to the sea-run salmon fishery within the current management framework, including:

  • Reducing season length
  • Limiting fishing areas
  • Implementing a catch-and-release fishery (0-season bag limit)
  • Implementing a temporary season closure

Feedback from this consultation will be integrated into fishery management planning and provided to Fish & Game Councils and the Minister of Hunting & Fishing to support future decision-making.

What do I need to do before providing feedback?

Before providing your feedback, we ask that you review our consultation document, which gives context and background to why and how we may change the regulations.

CLICK HERE: Sea-Run Salmon Consultation Information Pack

How and when can I provide feedback?

You can provide feedback via our survey. The survey will be available via email and posted on this webpage. There will be a staged release of the survey as follows:

1 December 2025: A randomised subset of sea-run salmon licence holders will be emailed, inviting them to complete the survey.

1 January 2026: A survey link will be emailed to all sea-run salmon licence holders who did not participate in the random survey. Additionally, the survey link will be available here on this webpage for any angler or member of the public to complete.

31 January 2026: The survey period closes. All submissions must be made by 11:59 pm NZDT.