Hidden in the amendments to the Fisheries Amendment Bill, published online on Wednesday, are changes deemed “outrageous” by recreational fishers.

The changes mean the minimum legal-size limit for a range of species, including snapper, tarakihi, butterfish, blue moki and trevally would be removed. 

The major concerns of letting baby fish be caught is the reduction in populations, "anyone who failed science can still understand that," NZ Sport Fishing Council's Mike Plant told Andrew Dickens.

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