Million Dollar Snapper Responds to Fisher Feedback

Image caption:  Dave Baty with the major prize package that will be won in the upcoming fishing contest.


The Million Dollar Snapper Challenge has changed, driven by public demand from a sustainable fishing public.

The Million Dollar Snapper Challenge is based on an overseas format, where tagged and released fish are worth major prizes – for the Auckland event, the prize was to be a cool $ one million, payable in an annuity.

But in lieu of concerns voiced by some participants, organisers have decided not to tag and release snapper in the Hauraki Gulf. Instead they’ve opted for a fishing contest that features a major prize draw as well as a chance to win one million dollars!

Organiser Dave Baty says that the changes were a logical response to fisher’s concerns, although in many cases the objections were overstated.

“When we created the Snapper Challenge, we wanted to create a contest that ensured the  sustainability and longevity of the snapper fishery in the Hauraki Gulf.

“But feedback included fears that the 50 tagged snapper would not live when tagged and released, and that entrants would over-fish looking for the tagged snapper prizes.

“We took those comments into account and after much consideration decided to modify the contest to increase the sustainability of the fishery and still engage the recreational fisherman in a contest that offers the chance to win $ one million,” he said.

Baty says the contest mechanics now mean that every fish caught and registered on the contest’s smartphone app will go into the draw for the major prizes, including Isuzu D Max Ute and a Fyran/Honda Boat package valued at $100,000 - the largest prize ever offered for a fishing contest in Auckland

One entrant will then also go into a draw to potentially win a $ one million cash, payable in one lump sum after the contest.

“This actually gives entrants better odds for winning a prize than the original format,” says Baty, “and it removes the fears that a trawler would scoop up the prize winning fish before the event began,” he said.

The event retains the other features that make it the most innovative and sustainable fishing contest nationally.

All entries are via a mobile phone app used to photograph and measure the fish, reducing the time the fish is spent out of the water and allowing fishermen to catch and release, rather than bring the fish to a weigh-in  (all app data goes to NIWA to assist in fisheries research).

And all participants are provided with a jig with lip hooks, plus tips on fish handling techniques and a fish handling towel all free as part of the registration package, to ensure minimal fish mortality.

“All entrants, large or small, skilled or learners will have an equal opportunity to win the prizes,” Baty says, “whether it is the boat and ute or the hundreds of other prizes including a $10,000 bathroom renovation package from MICO,” he said.

“This is going to be a big event and an asset to Auckland City,” said Baty.

Proceeds from competition entry go to Cure Kids, the Auckland Coastguard and Bluelight Foundation charities.

For further competition details and registration head to www.snapperchallenge.co.nz