Fishing rules for 15 fish stocks across the country have been updated as part of a biannual review.

The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, decided on these changes following a review of scientific information and public consultation.

It is important that any changes benefit current and future generations, and these changes will help ensure there are enough fish in the water for everyone, ”said Emma Taylor, Director of Fisheries Management.

“These regular reviews allow us to respond to the best information and evidence available. If we know that more fish can be caught in a sustainable way, we can consider increasing the catch limits. On the other hand, if the stocks are not as healthy, we can take action to allow the fisheries to recover.

“The 15 stocks examined are of great importance to tangata whenua, commercial and recreational fishers and the general public.

“The snapper fishery on the west coast of the North Island, which is New Zealand’s second largest snapper fishery, garnered a lot of public and stakeholder interest with over 8,000 submissions.

“This fishery has recovered and recovered well after the catch limits imposed in 2005. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries has taken into account the comments received, as well as the best information available on the health of the fishery. and decided to take a cautious approach to increase how much can be caught.

“These increases take a conservative approach while allowing everyone to enjoy the fishery as the stock continues to increase in size.

“The overall catch limit and allocations will decrease for some of the other fisheries shared in this sustainability review, including northern red gurnard, blue cod from the east coast of South Island, and hapuku and northern bass. . The reductions will help ensure the long-term sustainability of these important shared fisheries.

Actions with increased limits include:

• Ling in the South region
• Gemfish in South Island and Chatham Rise, and the West Coast off Taranaki and Wellington
• Southern bluefin tuna across the country
• Snapper off the west coast of the North Island, Auckland and Taranaki
• Red gurnard off the west coast and atop the South Island

Actions with reduced limits include:

• Hoki all over the country
• Black cardinalfish off the east coast of Northland and Auckland
• Hapuku and bar off Northland, Bay of Plenty and the east coast of the North Island
• Red gurnard off the east and west coasts of Auckland and Northland, and the Bay of Plenty
• School shark off Southland and the subantarctic islands
• Commercial fishing for blue cod off Kaikoura, Canterbury and Otago

For more detailed information on the changes, including maps that show all of the affected areas, visit the Fisheries New Zealand website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-2021-october-round/

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