A three-month closure for rock lobster fishing in the Kaikōura Marine Area to support sustainability in the fishery will come into effect from 1 July, says Allen Frazer, Manager Inshore Fisheries South, Fisheries New Zealand.
“The temporary closure of the Kaikōura rock lobster fishery was requested by the Kaikōura Marine Guardians and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, who are concerned about reduced numbers of large rock lobster in the area,” says Mr Frazer.
“The temporary closure prevents recreational and commercial fishing, and Te Rūnanga is putting a rāhui on customary take.”
The closed period is intended to improve the fishery’s resilience for the peak fishing season over spring and summer.
“The closure will reduce disruption to rock lobster below minimum legal size and females that are carrying eggs,” says Mr Frazer.
“This helps the next generation of rock lobster to get to legal size, and the current generation to spawn.”
A stock assessment is planned for the Kaikōura rock lobster fishery later this year. Depending on the outcome of this assessment catch settings for the wider fishery may be reviewed.
The closure follows a public consultation on the closure by Fisheries New Zealand in April this year.
“We received a good response to the consultation, and there was strong support for the closure. We thank everyone who took the time to make their views on the closure known,” says Mr Frazer.
The closure will be in place from 1 July to 30 September 2026.
