The president of the West Coast Whitebaiters Association wants a review of the regulations, to help conserve the fishery.
The whitebaiting season opens on 15 August in most areas of New Zealand, except the West Coast, where it doesn't start until September.
Des McEnaney said there are more stringent controls on the West Coast, and he'd like those used as a template for national rules.
He said, for example, whitebaiting is completely prohibited in several West Coast areas.
Mr McEnaney wants a working group set up to develop new regulation proposals.
