All amateur fishing charter vessel operators (ACVs) must register their operation with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before running trips, and then provide electronic reports of their fishing trips. The electronic catch reports cover what is caught when operators have fare-paying passengers on board. Registering and catch reporting ensures that operators can be contacted, and their interests are taken into account during fisheries management decisions.
Fisheries New Zealand has contracted eCatch to provide the amateur-fishing charter vessel registration process and the electronic catch reporting app which ACV operators now need to download and use to record their catch.
Who must register as an amateur-fishing charter vessel operator?
If you take people fishing and payment is made for the vessel and guide services provided, you must be a registered amateur-fishing charter vessel operator. Payment might be for being on the vessel, or for guide services. Ferries and tourist sightseeing boats don’t have to register because their passengers don’t fish. For information on these requirements, refer to the MPI website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/charter-fishing-boat-operators/
How to register
Register online here. This is where you provide the required information about your operation, vessels and register your staff (skippers/guides).
You must re-register each year. The cost to register and re-register is $27 (GST included).
Next steps
Once you have been approved, you and your other users can download the electronic catch reporting app (eCatch) to submit catch reports. The eCatch ACV Logbook app is available on mobile app stores, and will run on your existing smartphone or tablet, both Android or iOS. We recommend an IP69 rated device.
