The East Otago Taiapure management committee has put up the proposed changes to the fishing rules for the area (from Purakaunui to Waikouaiti) for consultation through the Ministry of Fisheries.
However, a recreational fishing advocate says the bag cuts are "harsh", given there is no restriction on what commercial fishermen can take in the same area.
A taiapure is a management tool established in an area customarily of special significance to an iwi or hapü as a source of food, or for spiritual or cultural reasons.
The East Otago committee, set up in 1999, is made up of representatives from the East Otago Boating Club, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, Karitane Commercial Fisherman's co-operative, Rivercare-Estuary Care: Waikouaiti-Karitane and the University of Otago.
Committee chairman Brendan Flack said as early as 1992 there were concerns about the sustainability of fisheries in the area, but the taiapure now had the science from the university to prove certain species were under threat.
"Many of the fishing regulations were set 30 years ago and don't really reflect today's fishing pressures."
It was not a matter of stopping people from fishing, but "ensuring our grandchildren can do what we do", Mr Flack said.
It proposed cutting the daily bag limit of paua, kina and combined finfish by at least half, setting a maximum daily limit of 50 shellfish, prohibiting the commercial take of cockles outside specified areas in Waitati Inlet and temporarily prohibiting taking paua from Huriawa Peninsula.
Preconsultation on the proposals had shown some believed the original bag limits, such as 30 finfish a day, were too generous, he said.
The proposal to restrict commercial cockle takes would not impact on Southern Clams' work in the area, but would protect other areas from other commercial endeavours.
Recreational fishing advocate Warren Lewis said a 66% cut in the finfish bag limit and a 50% cut in paua without any attempt to control the commercial take in the area was "fairly draconian".
"It's another large area of inshore fishery where recreational fishers are going to be restricted from a taking a fair and reasonable bag."
Following public consultation, the minister of fisheries will consider the proposals and make a decision on whether the changes should go ahead.
The proposals then need to be approved by Cabinet and if they are, will take effect on October 1.
Members of the public have until April 24 to make submissions to the Ministry of Fisheries.
Proposed changes
• Reduce the recreational daily bag limit of paua from 10 to 5.
• Reduce the recreational daily bag limit of kina from 50 to 10.
• Set a maximum combined daily limit of 50 shellfish of all kinds including pipi, cockles, mussels, kina and rock lobster (crayfish).
• Reduce the maximum combined finfish daily bag limit from 30 to 10 within the southern part of the taiapure.
• Prohibit the commercial take of cockles outside specified areas within Waitati Inlet.
• Prohibit the taking of paua from Huriawa Peninsula for two years
