Return tagged scallops: Niwa | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Scallop fishers are being asked to return tagged scallops to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa).

The scallop season officially opened in Northland yesterday and Niwa has called for help from fishermen to return the tagged ones so that scientists can study their growth and productivity.

Scientists have tagged more than 10,000 scallops in Northland, Coromandel, Golden Bay, Tasman Bay, and the Marlborough Sounds.

The Ministry of Fisheries has agreed that its enforcement officers will not take action against fishers who take tagged scallops that could be either undersized or in excess of the legal daily limit.

Commenting on the season's opening, Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley again called on scallop fishers to follow the rules in terms of bag and size limits.

The minimum legal size for scallops in the Auckland and Kermadec area is 100 millimetres measured across the widest part of the shell.

The legal bag limit for scallops is 20 per fisher per day.

In addition, divers may take an extra bag for  up to two people on board a boat, provided they are acting lookout  for the divers.

When dredging for scallops, only those actively involved in fishing are entitled to a daily bag limit.

Mr Heatley said: "Taking undersized scallops could affect the fishery by reducing the amount of spawning and the number of small scallops growing into the fishery. Only take what you need; fish for a feed and not to fill the freezer."

Fisheries officers will be patrolling the beaches and inspecting scallop catches.

Fines of $250 to $500 per offence can be imposed on fishers who ignore the rules. Serious breaches can result in confiscation of diving gear, boats and vehicles.

"Fishery officers have the job of protecting our fish stocks for future generations.

"They'd rather help you than police you, but if you ignore the rules you leave them no choice but to give you a ticket," Mr Heatley said.

He said people should call 0800 4 POACHER to report offenders taking more than their daily limit or catching under-size scallops.

The scallop season ends on March 31, next year.