Recreational fishers are quietly pleased with the Government's decision to cut daily bag limits for snapper from nine to seven in an effort to sustain future stocks.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy announced yesterday snapper bag limits will reduce to seven, with the minimum size raised from 27-30cm. It was an increase on the proposed three a day limit discussed during the public submissions process.

LegaSea, snapper advocacy group, strategist Scott Macindoe says the snapper cuts are a 'slap in the face” for recreational fishers.

The total allowable catch in Snapper Area 1, including the Bay of Plenty, was also increased from 7550 tonnes per year 8050 tonnes per year.

The extra 500 tonnes is allocated to recreational fishers with a commercial allocation of 4550 tonnes and 3050 for the recreational sector. The changes will come into effect on April 1, 2014.

Tauranga Sport Fishing Club captain Gordon Benfell sees it as a balanced outcome for recreational fishers, and what is in the best interest for the country's approach to fisheries management.

'It's not going to please everyone but I think it's a good one,” says Gordon.

'I think those people that are now coming on the media bemoaning the loss of nine smaller snapper are overlooking the fact that the three centimetre long snapper, from 27 to 30, actually have twice the fillet weight.”

Gordon stresses the fishing community need to ensure they are not short sighted with the outcome as these decisions will help sustain and promote growth within the snapper stocks.

Nathan says the decision produces a 'fair and balanced package”, ultimately meaning more fish for both commercial and recreational fishers in the coming years.

'The aim of these measures is to ensure we have a healthy, sustainable stock that will provide for our children and grandchildren,” says Nathan.

'The vast majority of submissions received agree with the principle of rebuilding this stock and sharing this fairly on both recreational and commercial sectors. These changes achieve that.”

But LegaSea, snapper advocacy group, strategist Scott Macindoe is not happy with the Minister's weak decisions in what is a 'slap to the face” of recreational fishers.

Scott says the minister has missed a golden opportunity to cater for the longevity of New Zealand's fishing sector, instead content to keep the commercial sector happy.

'The Minister has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Guided by his malevolent ministry he has decided to crush the fishing of future generations for no real reason and they have played that card to keep the industry off their back,” says Scott.

'What could have been a great decision was ruined by the relatively meaningless attack on the public's fishing interests. The bag limit decrease and size limit increase effectively crush the willingness of the public to conserve.”