Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Have your say
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for 2 rock lobster stocks as part of the April 2026 sustainability round.
We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on these proposed changes. Consultation opened on 15 December 2025 and will close at 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
About the proposed changes
Fisheries New Zealand reviews catch limits for selected stocks twice a year. This is consistent with the purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow for sustainable utilisation.
Fisheries New Zealand is currently reviewing the catch limits and allowances for:
- spiny rock lobster (CRA 3) – Gisborne/East Cape/Māhia
- spiny rock lobster (CRA 7) – Otago.
Fisheries New Zealand is also reviewing sustainability measures for Southern blue whiting (SBW 6B) as a part of this sustainability round. Consultation for SBW 6B is expected to begin by mid-January 2026 and will close later than this consultation.
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.
Full details are in the consultation documents.
Table: Summary of the proposals and consultation documents
Making your submission
Fisheries New Zealand invites you to email your feedback on the proposals set out in the consultation documents by 5pm on 28 January 2026 to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission form template [DOCX, 82 KB]
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
2026 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).
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
