A range of submissions on proposed changes to whitebait regulations ... so far

The feedback deadline is being pushed from March 2nd to the 16th, after iwi and others asked for more time.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says there's been a number of practical suggestions on how to better manage the fishery.

She says they include calls for a licence for commercial whitebaiting, and for things like a ban on the sale of commercial whitebaiting.

Proposed changes include aligning the whitebaiting season nationwide, phasing out sock nets and introducing whitebait refuges.