The Central West Region is swept by the predominant westerly winds. Coastal areas here are exposed and the seas are often rough and unfishable for many days.

The region can be divided into three main areas: the shallow-shelving, sandy beaches of the south; the mixed beaches / rock platforms of the Taranaki Bight; and the seacliffs and beaches of north Taranaki.

Despite its weather limitations, the region supports valued customary and recreational fisheries. It also supports valuable inshore commercial fisheries.

The region’s rivers support significant freshwater eel (tuna) fisheries.