A season bag limit of four fish is being introduced for the first time to help rebuild Canterbury's sea-run salmon

Wild salmon numbers are fewer than 10 percent of their 1990 numbers, and the Fish & Game New Zealand is asking the Government to approve regulations.

Chairman Andrew Simpson says anglers understand enough sea-run salmon are needed to protect future populations.

He says the limit will be raised or lowered each season depending on numbers.

Anglers who reach their bag limit must stop fishing for salmon for the rest of the season.