This will be a story to follow with interest. My take on helping fish stocks to grow would be to follow Fish and Game in their efforts to promote fish numbers. On waters that are under pressure, introduce an upper size limit and put the big fish back. This has been a great success on waters such as Lake Tarawera and is widely supported by trout anglers.

Large snapper, just like large trout, are not the best for culinary purposes. To go to the minister with the suggestion of an upper size limit but leave the nine fish limit in place, could be well received. Those large fish are the better breeding stock, and such a concession could show once more anglers are willing to do their bit.

Anglers can record their large fish successes with a camera and tape measure. It's the story and the picture that give by far the greatest pleasure, far better than any fillet taken from an old horse.