The Government is seeking feedback on proposals to tighten crayfish rules around Great Barrier Island.
Crayfish fishers around Aotea could soon face lower catch limits, seasonal closures, maximum size restrictions and six new recreational-only fishing areas under a package of reforms released for public consultation today.
The proposals follow years of work by the Aotea Ahu Moana Project, Great Barrier Local Board and Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea. They are aimed at rebuilding local crayfish populations while protecting breeding stock for future generations.
If adopted, six areas around the island would become recreational-only, preventing commercial rock lobster harvesting while still allowing recreational and customary fishing under the new rules.
The Government is also proposing to reduce the recreational daily limit for both spiny (red) and packhorse crayfish to two of each species per person. The reduction is particularly significant for packhorse crayfish, which currently have a higher recreational limit elsewhere in New Zealand.
Another major change would introduce a one-day accumulation limit. Recreational fishers would no longer be able to store several days’ worth of legally caught crayfish while staying on the island.
The proposals also include an autumn and winter closed season to protect crayfish during their breeding period. Fisheries New Zealand says the closure is intended to reduce fishing pressure while crayfish are mating and females are carrying eggs, with the exact dates now open for public feedback.
The Government is also proposing a maximum legal size for crayfish. Unlike most fisheries rules, which only set a minimum legal size, the proposal would require the largest crayfish to be returned to the water to protect highly productive breeding animals.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the proposals followed requests from the Local Board and Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea.
“Aotea-Great Barrier Local Board and Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea Iwi Trust Board have requested measures to help ensure the long-term sustainability of local spiny and packhorse rock lobsters,” he said.
Mr Jones said recent closures elsewhere in northern New Zealand could shift fishing effort towards Great Barrier.
“Over the past two years, I have closed rock lobster fishing in the inner Hauraki Gulf and placed a ban on taking spiny rock lobster from the east coast of Northland to Hauraki Gulf, creating a network of protections to rebuild rock lobster populations and help address the issue of kina barrens,” he said.
“A potential outcome of these closures is fishers switching their efforts to other nearby areas. The requested measures are aimed at addressing the concerns of Great Barrier locals about rock lobster becoming depleted in their area.”
Barrier Times reported in April that the Government was expected to move on the community’s recommendations after Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft visited the island to meet with the Local Board, iwi, commercial fishers and community representatives.
Mr Jones acknowledged the work that had gone into developing the proposals.
“I commend the ongoing community efforts to help manage rock lobster fishing around Aotea-Great Barrier Island,” he said.
He said officials would analyse submissions before final recommendations were put to him.
Public consultation closes at 5pm on September 4. The consultation documents and submission forms are available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
