Exploring Regulatory Changes To Increase Sea-Run Salmon Spawning – Your Feedback Is Sought

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

Exploring Regulatory Changes To Increase Sea-Run Salmon Spawning – Your Feedback Is Sought

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. 

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

How and when can I provide feedback?

You can provide feedback via our online 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. Check your email now!
• 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 on our website 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.

For more information and to review our information pack, visit our website here.