Fishing Access Expanded for Women as Fish & Game Updates License Rules
WELLINGTON, NZ – Fish & Game New Zealand is removing restrictions on secondary adult holders of family freshwater fishing licences, a change expected to significantly increase female participation in the sport. The update, effective with licence sales beginning September 1st, addresses a long-standing rule that limited the self-reliant fishing opportunities for women.
Currently,around 20 percent of individual licence holders are women,but this figure rises to approximately 30 percent when including women covered as secondary adults on family licences. Fish & Game estimates that if women fished at the same rate as men, an additional 60,000 anglers could be enjoying New Zealand’s rivers and lakes.
A 2023 University of otago study, commissioned by Fish & Game, highlighted the limitations imposed on women who are typically listed as the secondary licence holder. The study found these restrictions were perceived as unfair,preventing women from fishing alone or with friends.”Many secondary licence holders found this restriction to be somewhat unfair as it offers no opportunity to fish alone (or with friends),” the study stated.
The changes will also allow secondary licence holders to vote or stand in Fish & Game elections,increasing opportunities for female representation in governance.
Women on the Fly, a national women’s fishing community group, has been a key advocate for the changes, pushing for reform over the past four years. national co-ordinator Leigh Johnson described the previous system as “old-fashioned,” noting that many women felt unable to fish without their partners.
“Now it’s about a fresh start and equal footing. Women in our community wanted the same rights as the principal licence holder, and that is to fish independently,” Johnson said.She believes the changes could attract 40-60,000 new female anglers. “I think there’s an opportunity for quite a meaningful increase in the number of women, and making it accessible, making women feel welcome to get out…it’s seen as a bit of a male tradition. So we want to make women feel welcome and make it more accessible for them.”
Fish & Game has confirmed there will be no price increases on licences this year.
