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Fishing & shellfish gathering
Enjoy > Fishing & shellfish gathering
Fishing, shellfish gathering and whitebaiting are three of the most popular activities in and around the harbour. Fish and shellfish are still plentiful but some fish stocks have been heavily exploited so there are rules to protect them for all to enjoy.
Fishing
The harbour is known for flounder, kahawai, and snapper. Haku (kingfish), araara (trevally), tāmure (snapper), yellow-eyed mullet (makawhiti), parore (black fish), ihe (piper) and spotty (paketi) love these waters too. Ōhiwa Harbour is in the Auckland and Kermadec Islands' fishing region. Wise up about the local fishing regulations and download the NZ Fishing Rules mobile app or check the signage at the boat ramps at Port Ōhope wharf, Ōhope boatramp (opposite the golf course) and Ōhiwa Loop Road.
Floundering
Masters of colour change and camouflage, yellow-belly and sand flounder (pātiki) are common in the channels of the harbour. If poorly done, set netting can result in fish wastage, by-catch of unwanted fish species, capture of seabirds and lost or abandoned nets. Find out how to 'do it right':
Shellfish gathering
Historically, Ōhiwa Harbour has been known for its abundance in shellfish, including cockles, pipi and kuku (mussels). Several rāhui (bans) have stopped the collection of mussels in the past as mussel numbers had declined to alarmingly low levels, possibly due to storms, sedimentation, overfishing and seastars!
For information on current bans please check the rāhui page.
Learn what the Ōhiwa partners' mussel restoration project has achieved here.
Similar to cockles, large pipi (i.e., of more than 50 mm shell length) are rare. Almost half of the current pipi population is made up of young pipi less than 20 mm long. Pipi beds too are at risk from overfishing. The daily bag limit is 150 pipi per person.
Whitebaiting
Whitebait season is open between 1 September and 30 October at Ōhiwa Harbour. However, it’s important to know that these small migratory fish are under threat and in decline. If you really want to go after this fragile delicacy, it’s important to know the rules.
Important: Find out about closures (rāhui) in Ōhiwa Harbour here.
