Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for a range of fish stocks as part of the 2024 April sustainability round. We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on these proposed changes.
We review catch limits for selected stocks twice a year. This is consistent with the purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow for sustainable utilisation.
About the proposed changes
Fisheries New Zealand is currently reviewing:
- catch limits, allowances and the recreational daily bag limit for spiny rock lobster (CRA 3 – Gisborne)
- a proposed management procedure for spiny rock lobster (CRA 7 – Otago)
- a proposed management procedure, catch limits, and allowances for spiny rock lobster (CRA 8 – Southland, Stewart Island, and Fiordland)
- an in-season increase to catch limits and a review of the full-year catch limits and allowances for southern bluefin tuna (STN 1 – all of New Zealand)
- the recreational fishing season for the Kaikōura pāua fishery.
We’re also reviewing catch limits and allowances for:
- silver warehou (SWA 4 – Southland, Sub-Antarctic, and the Chatham Rise)
- gemfish (SKI 3 and 7 – South Island and Chatham Rise)
All of the proposals in this round were assessed:
- in the context of the relevant statutory requirements
- using the best available information, including the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.
Fisheries New Zealand is planning to start consultation on the review of CRA 7 and CRA 8 slightly later than other reviews. Consultation is expected to begin on 18 December 2023. In addition, Fisheries New Zealand is awaiting updated science information for southern blue whiting on the Bounty Platform (SBW 6B) which may inform a review of sustainability measures. Should a review proceed, consultation will begin in early January.
A summary of the proposals is on this page and full details are in the consultation documents.
Summary of the proposals
|
Species |
Stock/area |
Proposal |
|---|---|---|
|
Spiny rock lobster |
CRA 3 |
TAC ↓ |
|
Spiny rock lobster |
CRA 7 |
Management procedure |
|
Spiny rock lobster |
CRA 8 |
Management procedure, and TAC ↑ |
|
Pāua |
Wider Kaikōura recreational pāua fishery |
Recreational season re-opening |
|
Southern bluefin tuna |
STN 1 |
TAC ↑ |
|
Silver warehou |
SWA 4 |
TAC ↑ |
|
Gemfish |
SKI 3 and SKI 7 |
TACs ↑ |
|
Southern blue whiting |
SBW 6B |
TBC |
Consultation documents
Review of sustainability measures for spiny rock lobster (CRA 3) for 2024/25 [PDF, 1.3 MB]
CRA 3 summary [PDF, 648 KB]
Review of the Kaikōura recreational pāua fishery for 2023/24 [PDF, 795 KB]
Kaikōura pāua summary [PDF, 739 KB]
Review of sustainability measures for southern bluefin tuna for 2024/25 [PDF, 625 KB]
STN 1 summary [PDF, 630 KB]
Review of sustainability measures for silver warehou (SWA 4) for 2024/25 [PDF, 790 KB]
SWA 4 summary [PDF, 676 KB]
Review of sustainability measures for gemfish (SKI 3 and SKI 7) for 2024/25 [PDF, 1.2 MB]
SKI 3 and SKI 7 summary [PDF, 643 KB]
Related information
Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 – NZ Legislation
About the Quota Management System (QMS)
Operational Guidelines for New Zealand’s Harvest Strategy Standard [PDF, 843 KB]
The Deemed Values Guidelines [PDF, 1.4 MB]
National Fisheries Plan for deepwater and middle-depth fisheries [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Regional plan provisions and policy statements [PDF, 324 KB]
Making your submission
Fisheries New Zealand invites you to email your feedback on the proposals set out in the consultation documents by 5pm on 2 February 2024. Email FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
2024 Sustainability Review
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
What to include
Make sure you tell us in your submission:
- the title of the consultation document
- your name and title
- your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
- your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).
