Fisheries New Zealand is inviting people to have their say on proposed catch limits and settings for the Northland rock lobster fishery, known as CRA 1.
Acting Deputy Director-General for Fisheries New Zealand, Mat Bartholomew, says the proposals form part of the regular sustainability review processes.
In response to a recent high court judgement to reconsider last year’s decision on the fishery, Bartholomew says, “We recognise the importance of the court’s findings and have acted quickly to prepare new proposals for the fishery.
“The proposed options include various reductions to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important shared fishery and reflect a more ecosystem-based approach, which includes looking at the effects of fishing on habitats and other species.”
As part of proposed catch reductions for commercial and recreational fishing, input is also being sought on options to reduce the daily recreational limit for rock lobster.
“Reducing daily recreational limits is one of the most effective measures to manage recreational harvest, and will help recreational catch stay within the allowance.
“Rock lobster stocks are regularly reviewed to support whether catch settings are appropriate and sustainable. This includes CRA 1, which has been reviewed annually over the past two years,” says Bartholomew.
In December, Fisheries New Zealand started consultation on three other fish stocks under review ahead of the first April fishing year. Those proposals include options for catch settings, allowances, and daily limits for pāua for the central and lower North Island fishery (PAU 2), reducing catch and longer-term closures for Coromandel scallops (SCA CS), and restrictions to commercial kina dredging from Tory Channel.
“Aotearoa’s oceans and fisheries provide a way of life – they feed our whānau, they are a place for recreation, and provide jobs in our communities. What we want are sustainable fisheries that continue to provide for future generations,” says Bartholomew.
“We encourage anyone interested in this important shared fishery to provide feedback on these proposals.”
Consultation on CRA 1 proposals are open now and submissions can be made online before 5pm on 8 February 2023.
Photography: Getty Images