A group advising the government on the management of blue cod in Marlborough Sounds wants to increase the size of fish that can be caught.
The area was closed to blue cod fishing in 2008 because of concern about dwindling stocks but re-opened in April for periods when there is no spawning.
Fishing will be allowed again from 20 December until next August.
Blue cod advisory group member Martyn Barlow says regulations limiting a catch to two fish of between 30 and 35 centimetres are harmful because many cod are being thrown back and are dying.
He favours a size of 30 to 40 centimetres but a recommendation to change to this will not be considered until next year.
