New Zealand’s Primary Industries Minister, Nathan Guy, has set new limits for commercial fish stocks in a bid to ensure their sustainable future.
The main changes to the limits, which come into effect on 1 April 2014, are a 36 tonne decrease in commercial catch limits for crayfish in the Bay of Plenty and a 33 tonne decrease in Wellington/Hawkes Bay.
We need to ensure the fisheries are maintained at healthy levels for all New Zealanders, said Mr Guy. If the numbers of crayfish don’t improve then I will be looking to make further changes.
A 35 tonne increase in commercial catch limits for crayfish in Gisborne has also been set, as well as a 22 tonne increase for Otago and a 14 tonne increase for Westland/Taranaki.
In addition, a significant increase in the southern blue whiting fishery near Campbell Island has enabled a rise in the catch limit from 30,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes.
A decrease to the scallop commercial catch limit at the top of the South Island from 747 tonnes to 400 tonnes has also been set.
With the southern blue whiting fishery, interactions with sea lions in the area was a key focus. Commercial fishers have agreed to deploy sea lion exclusion devices (SLEDS) and there will be full observer coverage as part of a suite of measures aimed at reducing the risk of further captures. So far these have been affective at minimising the capture of sea lions in the squid fishery in the sub-Atlantic, added Mr Guy.
These changes only apply to the commercial sector and there is no change to any recreational or customary fishing limits across the country.
Mercator Media 2014