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Eighteen drownings on one stretch of coast is not “bad luck”. It's a pattern, and it forces a hard question for every land-based fisher and every community that lives near a rock fishing black spot: do we shut access, or do we get serious about safety and behaviour change?

We sit down with Josh Carmine (aquatic safety researcher, Drowning Prevention Aotearoa) and Glyn Morgan (Open Spaces Services Manager, Waikato District Council) to unpack what happens after a near-miss like Baz’s at Papanui Point. Josh breaks down the realities of falling in the drink. We also dig into what the research actually shows on the rocks: who is fishing, why many people are there for mates and adventure, and why perceived confidence can be miles away from real water competence.

Glyn brings the perspective of a land manager, why simply closing sites can push fishers into even more dangerous places, and what layered controls can help instead, from signage and formal tracks to life jacket hubs and better coordination across agencies.

If you care about fishing safety in New Zealand, share this with a mate, subscribe to the NZSFC Pod and Reel Podcast, and leave a review so more people hear it. What’s the one change you think would save the most lives? 

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This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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We share Baz’s near-drowning at Papanui Point and the choices that brought him home. We unpack why survival hinged on calm thinking, and how rock fishing can be made safer without losing the sport we love.

• why west coast rock fishing is so risky
• how excitement overrode caution on a big swell
• stripping weight and back-floating to survive
• shock, survivor’s guilt, and mental health
• life jackets, lifebuoys, and tie-off anchor points
• solo missions vs taking a mate
• enforceable rules at known black spots
• closing access vs smarter safety upgrades
• expert context from Drowning Prevention Auckland and Waikato council

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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What does it feel like to grow up where crayfish once filled wooden sea tanks and kahawai boiled along the beach all year, then watch that richness fade to mud and empty reef? Sitting above Omaha and looking across to Goat Island, we talk with Tī Point local and former commercial fisherman Barry Talkington about how the Hauraki Gulf slid from abundance to scarcity, and how we can turn it around.

Barry takes us from the mail-truck days of sackfuls of crays to the industrialisation of inshore fishing: bottom trawls, heavy gear, and the sediment plumes that flatten shell and sponge habitats into lifeless mud. He explains why marine reserves like Goat Island are “better than outside,” yet still bounded by the health of adjacent waters. We dig into high protection areas, displacement of effort, and the uncomfortable truth that closures often signal failure, not success.

We also lift the lid on the economics. Quota concentration, closed markets, and rent-seeking leave small-scale fishers squeezed and fillets overpriced, while innovation stalls. Barry argues for de‑industrialising inshore waters, preferring static, selective methods, and reforming the Fisheries Act to set higher biomass standards that rebuild abundance across the entire Gulf. That means separating inshore from deepwater management, restoring fair public value through resource rentals, and opening pathways for local, transparent supply from boat to plate.

This conversation is blunt but hopeful. COVID’s quiet showed fish returning when pressure lifted. Clubs are leading with selective gear and stewardship. Councils can tighten runoff and protect the first few hundred metres of intertidal and shallow reef. Most of all, we can choose laws that leave more fish in the water today so our kids inherit thriving reefs, not stories about them. If the Gulf recovers, everyone wins—customary, commercial, and recreational.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a mate, and leave a review with the one change you’d make to restore the Hauraki Gulf. We’re listening.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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New Zealand's fishing and boating world is being transformed by women who are taking leadership roles, challenging stereotypes, and creating inclusive spaces for everyone on the water.

• Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club women describe how clubs should focus on fishing opportunities rather than just becoming social drinking venues
• The "Girls in the Bay" fishing competition showcases women's abilities and creates an even playing field for all participants
• Wild Chix explain how they're filling the knowledge gap for women who never had fathers or uncles teach them boating skills
• Coast Guard skipper Sarah Psilas shares essential safety advice including having two forms of communication and proper life jacket use
• The importance of women understanding proper safety protocols to save lives in emergencies
• Lisa Noble describes her journey in fishing competitions and building her fishing gear brand Ocean Obsessed
• Women's fishing competitions foster a supportive environment where participants build each other up rather than focusing solely on competition

To learn more about women's fishing initiatives and upcoming Wild Chix workshops, visit our website at nzsportfishing.org.nz or check out the Wild Chix website for course dates around New Zealand.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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New Zealand's maritime landscape is changing as women step into leadership roles on the water, bringing fresh perspectives and challenging outdated assumptions about who belongs at the helm.

• Lisa Noble shares her journey from hairdressing to commercial cray fishing, and charter operating while emphasising how determination matters more than gender
• Sarah Psilas discusses her 10-year Coastguard career and passion for teaching water safety to children across New Zealand
• Wild Chix founder Isabell Zitzelsberger and Shanel Honore explain how they created workshops to teach women boating and fishing skills they'd otherwise never learn
• The Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club team highlights the success of their Girls in the Bay competition and growing female participation
• Hear how women in clubs play a vital role in communities, creating opportunities for learning, mentorship, and giving back
• The importance of wearing life jackets and carrying safety equipment can't be overstated - "Wearing a life jacket has never given anybody a bad day ever"


The NZSFC Pod and Reel podcast is brought to you by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council with support from Maritime New Zealand and the Safer Boating Forum.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

Send us Fan Mail

The West Coast of New Zealand offers world-class fishing but demands extreme respect, with veterans sharing hard-earned wisdom on staying safe in these challenging waters. Five local legends reveal how they've survived decades fishing this untamed coastline while witnessing the sometimes fatal consequences of poor preparation and decision-making.

• West Coast fishing described as "second to none" but protected by dangerous conditions
• Fishery relatively untapped compared to East Coast due to challenging weather and access
• No islands or sheltered harbours to provide safety when conditions deteriorate 
• Drowning statistics reveal 192 recreational fisher deaths since 1980, with 66% occurring on rocks
• Only 26% of rock fishers wear life jackets, while 36% can't swim more than 50 meters
• Proper safety gear includes fitted life jackets, appropriate footwear (not gumboots), PLBs
• Fishing with mates creates crucial safety network for emergencies
• Local fishing clubs provide vital knowledge, assistance and community safety systems
• Bar crossings require careful planning around tides, swells and wind conditions
• Recovery efforts for drowning victims create lasting trauma for rescuers and families

If you're heading out fishing, check weather forecasts, wear appropriate safety gear, tell someone your plans, and remember - no fish is worth your life.

The NZSFC Pod and Reel podcast is brought to you by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council with support from Maritime New Zealand and the Safer Boating Forum.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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Our journey takes us to New Zealand's wild west coast, where experienced local fishers share crucial knowledge about surviving the unforgiving surf, beach launches, and bar crossings that make these waters so challenging yet rewarding.

• Five west coast legends with decades of frontline experience reveal their hard-earned wisdom
• Mark Gill from Manukau Sport Fishing highlights the importance of proper vehicle preparation and weather forecasting
• Chris O'Neill and Duncan Clarke from Piha Deep Sea Fishing Club explain why club membership provides essential safety networks
• Craig Ross from Muriwai Sports Fishing Club describes his 37 years of beach launching experience and techniques for reading surf conditions
• Dr. Mick Kearney from Drowning Prevention Aotearoa emphasises planning as the foundation of west coast fishing safety
• Local knowledge passed through clubs provides crucial information about changing conditions, safe launching spots, and rescue protocols
• Proper preparation includes deflating tyres to 10 PSI, carrying spare parts, and always wearing life jackets
• Understanding tide, swell, and wind patterns is essential before attempting a west coast launch
• The west coast is "self-governing" - its challenging conditions naturally limit fishing pressure and maintain healthy fisheries
• Experienced fishers prioritise safety over catching fish, often cancelling trips when conditions appear marginal

The NZSFC Pod and Reel podcast is brought to you by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council with support from Maritime New Zealand and the Safer Boating Forum.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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The tragic loss of three fishermen off the Gisborne coast last year sent shockwaves through New Zealand's fishing community. What began as a promising day with a forecast of just five knots of wind quickly deteriorated into a nightmare scenario of 20-knot winds and dangerous sea conditions.

Roger Faber, president of the Gisborne-Tatapouri Fishing Club, takes us through that fateful day when experienced club members Elwood Higgins, Taina Sinoti, and Damien McPherson headed offshore to chase bluefin tuna. Despite their experience, the rapidly deteriorating weather caught them in its grip, leading to one of New Zealand sport fishing's darkest chapters.

We hear from Henry Van Teel, Hawke's Bay Coast Guard skipper, who provides a gripping account of the rescue attempt amid six-metre swells and 50-knot winds. His team's agonising decision to turn back, despite knowing men were in the water shows the brutal risk calculations that sometimes must be made at sea. "There's no point hammering the boat and crew arriving on scene if you can't do anything," Van Teel explains, sharing the Coast Guard's disciplined approach to safety that recreational boaties can learn from.

The ripple effects of this tragedy transformed fishing practices nationwide. Hayden Johnson of the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club describes how his members rallied to raise funds for affected families while implementing mandatory safety equipment requirements. Clubs across New Zealand revisited their safety protocols, with increased emphasis on buddy boating, better weather forecasts, and the critical importance of EPIRBs and Personal Locator Beacons.

From improved communication systems to fundamental shifts in how fishers approach risk assessment, this powerful episode offers essential lessons for anyone who ventures offshore. As Van Teel poignantly states, "The most important piece of equipment is between your ears." Listen, learn, and ensure you come home safely from your next fishing adventure.

The NZSFC Pod and Reel podcast is brought to you by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council with support from Maritime New Zealand and the Safer Boating Forum.

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

Send us Fan Mail

Unlock the secrets of top-quality southern bluefin tuna preservation as we explore Japanese techniques with Tony Walker, aka TK from TK's Offshore Fishing. Discover the meticulous ikijime method and the critical steps for rapidly cooling the tuna's core temperature to avoid internal cooking. Learn why handling the fish on foam mattresses and using ice slurries can mean the difference between a premium catch and a wasted effort. We also discuss the high standards set by Japanese buyers and the financial benefits of maintaining these quality practices.

Get expert tips from Toby Barkla and Christine Elminger on preserving and processing tuna to ensure it remains in prime condition. We delve into the importance of using ample ice and proper bleeding techniques, as well as the benefits of vacuum packing. Learn why joining local fishing clubs can support marine research and conservation efforts while offering a platform for competitions. We also highlight practical and safety considerations for weighing and gutting fish in tournaments, stressing the importance of careful handling to avoid accidents.

Celebrate the success of Southern Bluefin tuna fishing tournaments with us. Hear about the unique cooperation between commercial and recreational fishers and the diverse tactics used in bluefin fishing. John Holdsworth shares insights on sustainable practices, including tagging and releasing fish, to ensure future populations. Finally, we examine the unexpected high turnout at the Whakatane winter tuna tournament and how a creative eating competition led to a surge in club membership. Don't miss these innovative ideas and valuable insights—subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes!

Find out more on looking after your Bluefin Tuna catch here

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here

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Experience the thrill of the southern bluefin tuna fishery's resurgence in New Zealand since 2017. When large tuna were first spotted near Cape Runaway, the word spread like wildfire, attracting hundreds of boats and turning Waihau Bay into a bustling hub of activity. Reminisce about those chaotic early days of record-breaking catches and extended seasons, while also considering the logistical challenges faced by local communities. This episode celebrates the monumental impact of a revitalised fishery and the ongoing efforts to balance enthusiasm with practical solutions.

This episode starts with Christine Elminger, who relives the moment she heard of the adrift vessel Betty G, and rushed to inform Elroy Thompson.  Alongside Tony Walker (TK), Elroy shares the challenges of fishing at Waihau Bay amid treacherous tides and currents. Safety is paramount, and the episode underscores the crucial lessons for anglers, with insights from Toby Barkla of the Whakatane Sport Fishing Club on prudence and preparation for those chasing the elusive bluefin tuna.

Finally, we turn to the vital topic of conservation and sustainable sport fishing practices. Advocating for barbless hooks and highlighting the collaborative efforts between recreational and commercial fishers, the episode delves into measures like quota cuts and improved fish handling. Learn how the adoption of techniques from Japan is fostering a sustainable fishing community in New Zealand. As we wrap up, Elroy Thompson shares a compelling story that sets the stage for next week's focus on preserving southern bluefin tuna and the burgeoning interest in high-stakes tournaments. Join us for another week of fascinating insights from the world of New Zealand sport fishing.
nzsportfishing.co.nz
http://fishcare.co.nz/fishcare-southern-bluefin-tuna-guide/
http://saferboating.org.nz
http://facebook.com/tkoffshorefish
waihaubayfishingclub.co.nz
whakatanesportfishingclub.co.nz

Support the show

This Podcast is brought to you by Hooked on Safety. 

A New Zealand Sport Fishing Council initiative. The Council is a not for profit, incorporated society funded by its member Clubs. 

You can find your nearest club here

Please SUBSCRIBE to this podcast to receive new episodes weekly! 

If you want to hear more episodes like this please consider supporting the podcast here