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[Fishermen on in boat] Here you go, take your time. Bring it up and wind them down. [sound of fish being reeled in ]
. Don't bother using the net anyway buddy, we'll just grab hold
of the trace and we'll just trace it, Murry'll just trace it straight into the boat. There's
quite a large hook in there so he'll be well hooked.
[Narrator] Urupukapuka is the largest of the 144 islands in the Bay of Islands, which is
the major New Zealand centre for big game fishing. Urupukapuka was originally occupied
by Māori who built numerous pā, or fortified retreats, on the island.
In the 1920s, American author Zane Grey visited Urupukapuka. A keen big game fisherman, Grey
was impressed. He recorded his impressions in his book Tales of the Angler's Eldorado,
New Zealand.
[Zane Grey -- actor's voice] The beach of golden sand and coloured sea shells stretched
in graceful crescent shape. A soft rippling surge washed the strand, and multitudes of
fish, some of them mullet, splashed and darkened the shallow waters.
[Narrator] Zane Grey's book, which included accounts of his exploits chasing big fish
in the Bay of Islands, was a best-seller, and gave a massive boost to New Zealand's
big-game fishing scene. The wealthy American travelled with an entourage which included
photographers and cooks. His flamboyant style was not always appreciated by locals, but
he did more to promote New Zealand big-game fishing than any other angler.
Grey helped modernise equipment and promoted new fishing techniques such as trolling, which
is pulling a lure behind a boat, and reels with a brake. Before this, New Zealand deep-sea
anglers had to make do with gear adopted from English salmon fishing.
In his three trips to the Bay of Islands in the late 1920s, Zane Grey and his party caught
numerous big game fish, including a 400lb broadbill swordfish:
[Zane Grey -- actor's voice] Look out! He's coming up!" I shouted. "Get ready! ... Oh,
it's a broadbill!" The second leap was enough to dazzle any boatmen.
It was a forward jump, quite high and long, allowing us time to see his bronze bulk, his
wide, black tail, his huge, shiny head and waving sword.
I laboured strenuously to lift him from up the depths. At last I had him up so that we
could see the gleaming pale color, the massive shape, the long fierce-looking sword.
[Narrator] Māori were the first New Zealanders to pursue big fish, catching species such
as swordfish with hand lines from canoes. In the early 1900s a few small boats were
going after kingfish in the Bay of Islands, but their equipment was basic. The first marlin
caught by rod and reel was taken in the area in 1915, and weighed about 100 kilograms.
The big-game fish are marlin, swordfish, tuna, sharks and kingfish. These impressive specimens
put up a strong fight, and many make excellent eating. Anglers generally use a launch to
pursue their trophies. Once a fish is hooked, the angler is strapped
into a chair, which is bolted to the boat. The butt of the rod is put into a holder,
in order to lever the rod. If the fish runs, the reel lets out line, and a drag system
means that the fish expends a lot of energy. Still, battles between the angler and a big
fish can take many hours, and the line may snap, or the hook pull out at any moment.
Today in the Bay of Islands there is a thriving tourist industry based around deep sea fishing.
But conservation remains an issue. During the 1970s, anglers became concerned about
dwindling catches of game fish, and longline fishing trawlers were blamed. Lobbying led
to restrictions on commercial fishing, including a 1993 prohibition on selling marlin.
In the past, catches were nearly always killed, and photos taken of the successful angler
and trophy at the wharf. Nowadays, most fish are handled carefully, then tagged and released.
Clubs have a target of at least 50% release, which is often exceeded.