Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has told the Barrier Times he is open to supporting new recreational crayfish restrictions around Great Barrier — and his officials are now drafting advice on how quickly the proposals could be implemented once Parliament returns after the summer break.
“My officials at Fisheries New Zealand have worked closely with the Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board and Ngāti Rehua‑Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board as part of an Ahu Moana pilot project, which supports community‑led management of coastal areas,” Jones said. He added: “I expect to receive advice from my officials about this in the new year.”
The CRA2 review earlier this year led to the banning of crayfishing in the inner Hauraki Gulf, a move aimed at protecting stocks but which residents say has pushed recreational and commercial crayfishers out to Barrier. Local observers have also flagged a rise in organised poaching syndicates, prompting targeted enforcement by Fisheries NZ.
The proposal submitted by the Local Board and Ngāti Rehua-Ngātiwai includes a combined recreational daily limit of two crayfish, bans on accumulating daily limits for multi-day trips, size limits to protect breeding stock, seasonal closures during mating periods, and recreational-only crayfishing zones around main settlement areas. Local Board chair Izzy Fordham said the board is “looking forward to working with Fisheries New Zealand staff to get these strategies in place,” in a cover letter co-signed by iwi chair Fletcher Beazley.
Jones also acknowledged their efforts. “I would like to commend Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board and the Aotea Local Board for their ongoing efforts and strong engagement with the Aotea community on the sustainability of local fisheries,” he told the Barrier Times.
The requested changes come at a time of heightened scrutiny following the One Ocean protests, which targeted aspects of the recently passed Tikapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf bill. Some protestors were opposed to allowing commercial fishing in newly restricted areas, though not recreational fishers. The protest occurred after the bill had already passed.
The Barrier Times understands Jones is reportedly working on a potential compromise for the protestors, which may involve banning Marlin from being admitted into the commercial quota system — although this is yet to be confirmed.
As a community-led pilot, the Ahu Moana project on Great Barrier could also serve as a model for national fisheries management, testing whether local voices can shape future marine rules.
