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Review of rock lobster sustainability measures for 1 April 2017

Update – 23 March 2017

Minister's decisions

Consultation has closed and the Minister for Primary Industries has made decisions on sustainability measures for 3 rock lobster stocks for the 2017/18 fishing year beginning 1 April 2017. This includes decisions relating to total allowable catches (TACs), non-commercial allowances, and total allowable commercial catches (TACCs).

The Minister's decision letter provides the details of, and reasons for, each of his decisions. Download the:

Summary of Minister's decisions

Area

Decision summary

Gisborne rock lobster (CRA 3)

Reduce the TAC from 389.95 to 366.86 tonnes, set the TACC at 237.86 tonnes, and maintain the allowances for customary Māori fishing at 20 tonnes, recreational at 20 tonnes, and other sources of fishing-related mortality at 89 tonnes.

Wellington/Hawkes Bay rock lobster (CRA 4)

Reduce the TAC from 592 to 484 tonnes, set the TACC at 289 tonnes, and maintain the allowances for customary Māori fishing at 35 tonnes, recreational at 85 tonnes, and other sources of fishing-related mortality at 75 tonnes.
A new CRA 4 management procedure (decision rule) called 'Rule 6' has been agreed for use in guiding CRA 4 TAC decisions for the next 5 years.

Otago rock lobster (CRA 7)

Increase the TAC from 117.72 to 132.52 tonnes, set the TACC at 112.52 tonnes, and maintain the allowances for customary Māori fishing at 10 tonnes, recreational at 5 tonnes, and other sources of fishing-related mortality at 5 tonnes.

Background to consultation

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback from tangata whenua and stakeholders on proposed changes to the sustainability measures for 3 rock lobster stocks.

Consultation ran from 11 January 2017 until 10 February 2017.

Proposals

Each year, MPI reviews catch limits and other management controls for selected stocks. This is consistent with the requirement that MPI ensures fisheries resources are used sustainably.

The proposals for each rock lobster stock have been assessed in the context of the relevant statutory requirements and the best available information, including the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks, and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.

The proposals are also based on recommendations from the National Rock Lobster Management Group (the Minister for Primary Industries' adviser on rock lobster management matters).

Consultation document

The stocks include:

  • Gisborne rock lobster (CRA 3)
  • Wellington/Hawkes Bay rock lobster (CRA 4)
  • Otago rock lobster (CRA 7)

If you can't open the document or would like printed copies, email FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the proposed changes by 5pm on 10 February 2017.

Email: FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

Inshore Fisheries Management
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title, if applicable
  • your organisation's name (if you're submitting on behalf of an organisation or a company)
  • your contact details (for example, phone number, address and email).

Submissions are public information

Any submission you make becomes public information. Anyone can ask for copies of all submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the information available, unless we have a good reason for withholding it. You can find those grounds in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA. Tell us if you think there are grounds to withhold specific information in your submission. Reasons might include, it's commercially sensitive or it's personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold information can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may require the information be released.

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