Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
About this consultation
We are seeking feedback on a request for a temporary fishery closure and a method prohibition banning the use of nets. The request is from the tangata whenua o Ngāti Takapari, Te Waiariki, and Ngāti Korora “Whangai Mokopuna” Rohe Moana.
The temporary fishery closure and the fishing method prohibition have been requested under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. The proposed closure area will be called Rehuotane Ki Tai and covers Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay, and Ngunguru River (Northland) and nearby areas.
The request is for a 2-year closure and would prohibit the take of:
- all shellfish, excluding kina
- seahorse (all species)
- piper/garfish.
The definition of shellfish includes but is not limited to:
- blackfoot and yellowfoot pāua
- rock lobster and packhorse rock lobster
- mussels (all species)
- octopus
- squid.
The taking of scallops is already prohibited under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996.
The requested method prohibition would ban the use of nets, including scoop nets, gill nets, set nets and drag nets.
Have your say
Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions in response to the request from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.
Download a copy of the closure request [PDF, 307 KB]
Area boundaries of the proposed closure
The proposed area includes the New Zealand fisheries waters between the Middle Gable, north of Tutukaka Head, Northland, and Paparoa, north of Parauwanui Beach, Northland, and offshore approximately 3 nautical miles. The proposed area includes:
- The Horahora River, upstream to near the intersection of Pataua North Road and Mangahui Road; and
- The Ngunguru River, upstream to near the intersection of Ngunguru Road and Old Kiripaka Road.
The size of the proposed closure area is about 73.6 square kilometres (including the rivers).
Map of the proposed Rehuotane Ki Tai temporary closure [PDF, 3.8 MB]
Related information
Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.
Find out more about temporary closures
Making your submission
The closing date for submissions is 5pm, on Monday 8 May 2023. State in your submission which area or areas you are referring to.
Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:
Spatial Allocations
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140.
Public notice
A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the Whangarei Leader and Northern Advocate on 22 March 2023.
