Have your say on Kaikōura’s 2024 recreational pāua season, and catch limits for other fish stocks around Aotearoa
Fisheries New Zealand is asking for feedback on the timing and duration of Kaikōura’s next recreational pāua season.
This, along with proposed changes to catch limits and settings for a range of other fisheries, forms part of Fisheries New Zealand’s twice-yearly sustainability review.
“Kaikōura’s pāua fishery recovered well from the damage caused by the 2016 earthquakes, and we want to see it remain healthy and abundant. Our options for the recreational season take a cautious approach to help ensure the fishery continues to provide for generations to come,” says Marianne Lukkien, acting Director Fisheries Management.
“We’d like to hear from anyone with an interest in this fishery, particularly the Kaikōura community who have important local knowledge and insights. Local iwi, stakeholders, and the community have been integral to the recovery of this important shared fishery, and we welcome their support and feedback.”
Fisheries New Zealand is also seeking feedback on catch settings for eight other fish stocks around the country, including spiny rock lobster.
Proposals are based on the best available information on what’s happening in the fisheries, including surveys, information from local fishers, and potential impacts from events like cyclones or marine heatwaves.
“This review includes proposals to increase catch allowances for six fish stocks where information suggests more fish can be sustainably harvested, and a precautionary reduction to catch limits for spiny rock lobster near Gisborne recognising the impacts of recent extreme weather on coastal marine habitat.”
Stocks for this review are:
• Spiny rock lobster (CRA 3) – Gisborne
• Spiny rock lobster (CRA 7 & 8) – Otago, Southland, Stewart Island, and Fiordland
• Silver warehou SWA 4) – Southland, SubAntarctic, and the Chatham Rise
• Gemfish (SKI 3 & 7) – South Island and the Chatham Rise
• Southern bluefin tuna (STN 1) – all of New Zealand
• Pāua – recreational fishing season for the wider Kaikōura area
Once consultation closes, Fisheries New Zealand will analyse the submissions and provide advice to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries for consideration. Changes will be announced by the start of the April fishing year on 1 April 2024.
“Consultation begins today, and we encourage everyone who has an interest in these fisheries to have their say”, says Marianne Lukkien.
Submissions can be made online until 5pm on 2 February 2024. More information including how to make a submission can be found here: mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-2024-April-round
