Gary I can remember a few years back, when this forum had many many pics of fine fish caught in " The Bay of Hawkes". Some big buggars too. Its a sad thing to see a fishery decline, in such a way as it has up there. Any recovery is going to be long term, if indeed one is ever put in place by the powers that be. I'm talking snapper and gurnard here. I concede that I am a long way from your neck of the woods. And am basing my comments on the lack of pics and local fishing Competition results.

The Mokihinui Competition results are indeed impressive. Golden Bay and the Nelson Bays fisheries, (The source of West Coast/Buller fish). Are now fishing very well indeed. This has been bought about by the pressure put on the " Powers that be) by very dedicated local Fishing Clubs, who have lobbied the Government, and put pressure on them to conserve the snapper fishery. Hence reduced quota and I believe no trawling permitted in the snapper breeding season.

The scallop season for amateurs up that way is also very much alive and well, due to similar restrictions, and seeding of scallop spat.

An example of what pressure by Fishing Clubs can achieve is the removal of the " Slot" Restriction, on Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod. It was a silly plan/idea, that actually resulted in the needless death of blue cod. This occurred when fish that fell into the size restriction were returned to the sea after being caught. (Hook damage, shags/shock took their toll on the poor old Blue Cod. There is still a closed season. So a once critically challenged Blue Cod population is now on the improve.

Perhaps my good mate Ron Prestage could add his views, as he lives in Nelson and has more knowledge and insight into all this than me. And he catches heaps of fish.

Perhaps I may upset a few calling up there the Dead Sea. But the last two summers, or maybe even more. There has been little on here in the way of successful Hawkes Bay Fishing expeditions and pics. Largely the forum lately, is all about Line, reels, and Rods. And here we are in the middle of our summer fishing season.

Cheers Trev aka " Hardy"