Barrier Times understands Fisheries New Zealand is expected to open public consultation within days on a package of new crayfish rules for Aotea that have received backing from locals.
The proposed reforms are understood to be on a fast track, with officials aiming to have the changes approved before Parliament rises ahead of November’s General Election. A change in government could risk resetting the process.
The proposals have been in development for more than a year through the Ahu Moana pilot project, a partnership between Fisheries New Zealand, the Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board and Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Trust Board.
If adopted, the new rules would introduce a combined recreational daily limit of two crayfish, ban the accumulation of daily limits across multi-day trips, introduce size limits to protect breeding stock, establish seasonal closures during mating periods and create recreational-only crayfishing areas around the island’s main settlements.
The proposals were tabled following the closure of the inner Hauraki Gulf crayfish fishery last year, which many islanders say shifted recreational and commercial fishing effort onto Aotea. It also comes amid a crackdown on organised poaching syndicates operating around the island.
Community backing for the restrictions was confirmed during local consultation late last year. Residents endorsed the tighter rules.
The upcoming consultation follows an April 17 visit by Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft and a senior Fisheries New Zealand analyst.
Local Board chair Izzy Fordham described the meeting as a “productive face to face meeting with a lot of discussion on the proposal.”
At the time, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said he remained supportive of the community-led approach.
He also said: “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.” Jones told the Barrier Times.
The consultation will give the wider public an opportunity to formally submit on the proposed regulations before Fisheries Minister Shane Jones makes a final decision.
Barrier Times understands both the Local Board and Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea are keen to see the consultation completed and any rule changes confirmed before the start of the summer boating season.
