A survey about recreational fishing is being carried out across the country to help build a picture of what recreational fishers are catching.

"All information collected will be anonymous and only used for fisheries management,” says MPI Fisheries Science Manager Shelton Harley.

'We won't share people's secret fishing spots, we just need to know the area they fished in and if they caught anything.

"Participants will also be given guides on fish species so they can keep track of the kinds of fish they are catching and let surveyors know.

"The survey is done every five to seven years as part of a wider research programme into recreational fisheries. At the same time NIWA will be conducting aerial surveys to count the number of boats in the water and conducting interviews at boat ramps asking fishers what they caught that day to estimate the total day's catch in that area."

The survey, undertaken by independent research organisation, the National Research Bureau, will help MPI better understand and manage fish stocks of importance to recreational fishers.

Survey participants are already being contacted, and Shelton encourages people to take part if they are asked.

"We want shared, sustainable fisheries now and in the future. By taking part in the survey, you'll be doing your part to contribute to that,” says Shelton.

"The survey uses international best practice methods developed and implemented by NRB and is corroborated using independent methods developed and implemented by the National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research.

"NRB is recruiting participants using face-face interviews on their doorsteps throughout the country. More than 30,000 people will be interviewed and around 8,000 people will be recruited.

"Participating in the survey is easy, fishers will be asked by text if they went fishing. If they have they will get a quick phone call asking for more detail.”

The survey runs for a year from 1 October 2017 and results of the surveying programme are due mid-2019.