Catch limits for rock lobster and Pacific bluefin tuna are being reviewed.
Catch limits for spiny red rock lobster in CRA 2 (Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty), CRA 7 (Otago), and Pacific bluefin tuna in TOR 1 (all of New Zealand) are being reviewed.
“These rock lobster fisheries are valuable for the economy and culturally. The fisheries provide jobs, bring significant export income for New Zealand, and are popular with recreational fishers,” said Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones.
“It’s important that we strike the right balance between getting the most value possible from these fisheries while ensuring their sustainability. This is reflected in the proposals.”
In 2018, catch limits for the CRA 2 rock lobster fishery were cut by more than half in response to a decline. Jones said stock assessments in 2023 and 2024 significantly increased, so it was the right time to review these catch settings.
The proposals for rock lobster in CRA 2 reflected that while the overall stock was increasing, there was localised depletion in some areas and an associated issue with kina barrens, as the lobster has been a kina predator.
“Dealing with kina barrens is a priority, and these proposals will support other measures introduced earlier this year to tackle them. The proposals are a mix of moderate increases in the wider CRA 2 fishery and closures for parts of the inner Hauraki Gulf.”
Recent information for CRA 7 indicated that the fishery could sustainably support a higher catch limit, which is reflected in the proposed adjustment for this fishery.
Fisheries officials have considered the Pacific bluefin tuna fishery a migratory species that travels throughout the Pacific. The proposal for this fishery has been to raise the catch limit in New Zealand waters in response to its increasing abundance in recent years.
Other Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission member countries have reviewed and endorsed this. A consultation will run until the 29th of January 2025.
Following consultation, officials will prepare advice for Jones to inform his decision on any changes for these fisheries, which would come into effect in April 2025.
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