Information Card

Rock fishing

Rock fishing is fishing from rocky outcrops into the sea. It is a popular pastime
in Australia and New Zealand.

Unlike boats, our extensive rocky coastline costs nothing to buy, maintain and
run, and doesnt suffer from mechanical problems either.

Also, as we are standing on structures that provide snapper with food and
shelter under the water, theyre often nearby

Rock fishing is an increasingly popular recreational past-time. Unfortunately

every year, on average, four rock fishers drown after they are swept off the
rocks by large waves.

Remember the following when rock fishing:

Wear a lifejacket

Pay particular attention to swell and tide information.

Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas

Spend at least ten minutes observing the sea conditions before

approaching the rock ledge
Never turn your back on the sea

Pay attention to warning signs

Never fish from wet rocks where waves and spray have obviously been
sweeping over them.

Information Card
Tides and Swells

Tides are caused by gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Tides are one of the most reliable phenomena in the world. As the sun

rises in the east and the stars come out at night, we are confident that
the ocean waters will regularly rise and fall along our shores.

Tides are very long-period waves that move through the oceans in
response to the forces exerted by the moon and sun.

Tides originate in the oceans and progress toward the coastlines where
they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface.

When the highest part, or crest, of the wave reaches a particular

location, high tide occurs; low tide corresponds to the lowest part of the
wave, or its trough.

The difference in height between the high tide and the low tide is called
the tidal range.

A swell, in the context of an ocean, sea or lake, is a series of mechanical

waves that propagate along the interface between water and air and so
they are often referred to as surface gravity waves.

These series of surface gravity waves are not generated by the

immediate local wind, instead by distant weather systems, where wind

blows for a duration of time over a fetch of water.

Information Card
Safety fishing
Anyone can find themselves in difficulty or worse when around the water but
there are some simple things you can do to make your fishing trip as safe and
enjoyable as possible:

Learn to swim to survive if you fall in, you have a higher chance of
surviving

Check the marine weather forecast including the swell, tide and wind
strength and direction

Get to know the area you will be fishing, listen to advice and obey all
warning signs

Leave detailed information tell someone responsible where you are going
and when you are due to return.

Never fish alone, make sure you always take a buddy with you

Take and wear a lifejacket

Take at least two methods of communication, such as mobile phone and

VHF radio

Information Card
Fishing in Tawharanui

Tawharanui offers some good fishing opportunities on the south coast.

Fishing is strictly prohibited along the northern coastline defined by the

Tawharanui Marine Reserve. Most of the northern coastline is in the Marine
Reserve.

All fishing and/or removal of shellfish, removal or destruction of driftwood,

plant and marine animal life within the Tawharanui Marine Reserve area is
strictly prohibited.

A marine reserve is a type of marine protected area that has legal

protection against fishing or development.

The main aim of a marine reserve is to create an area free from the
removal of marine habitats and life, providing a useful comparison for
scientists to study.

Marine reserves may be established in areas that contain underwater

scenery, natural features, or marine life of such distinctive quality, or so
typical, beautiful or unique that their continued preservation is in the
national interest.

Questions
Rock fishing
List 3 rules you must follow when fishing of the rocks
1.
2.
3.
Answer:
Any of the following
Wear a lifejacket
Pay particular attention to swell and tide information.
Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas
Spend at least ten minutes observing the sea conditions before
approaching the rock ledge
Never turn your back on the sea
Pay attention to warning signs
Never fish from wet rocks where waves and spray have obviously
been sweeping over them.
Tides and Swells
What is the cause the___
-Creates a tide.
-Creates a swell.
Answer:
A tide is cause by the moons gravitational pull where as a swell is created
by the wind.
General fishing safety

True or False
1. My ability to swim will impact on my survival if I fall in the water
2. When I go fishing I dont have to tell anyone where Im going
3. A weather check before a fishing trip is beneficial
Answer:
1. TRUE! The better your swimming ability the higher your chance of
survival
2. FALSE! Always let someone know the details of your fishing trip in
case anything goes wrong
3. TRUE! Always check the weather, tides, swells and wind direction
and strengthens to plan accordingly and for safety
Fishing in Tawharanui
Why are you not allowed to fish in a marine reserve?
Answer:
Because its a protected area of water which has been set up to enable
marine reproduction