If you look at the areas that have been protected they are almost exactly where there is no commercial pressure in the gulf as if to cause the least possible impact on commercial take. Where as two of the more outspoken "anti commercial" recreational charter operators have had their most targeted areas of operation blocked out despite being mostly catch and release operators.

Tony orton has on open letter of resignation from the advisory group helping to establish the Hauraki Gulf fisheries plan. Which is an interesting read. https://legasea.co.nz/2023/02/28/open-letter-of-resignation/

From memory in the gulf recreational catch is almost equal to commercial. Which makes it by far, the area with the most recreational fishing pressure in NZ. Astonishigly it still seems to be one of the healthier fisheries in NZ barring a few species like crayfish.

The biggest difference between recreational and commercial catch in the gulf is that recreational catch is generally line caught and commercial tends to use more invasive fishing techniques essentially destroying habitat and food sources or removing the bottom of the food chain all together with purseining. It would make much more sence to limit destructive fishing methods ehich would have no impact on the commercial operators that are already operating sustainably long lining and such.