Update – 15 December 2021
This consultation closed on 12 November 2021. The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has now made the decision to approve the bylaw within Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve, Māhia.
This bylaw includes a prohibition on taking the following species from Waikokopu to Opoutama within the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve:
- kina
- kōura (rock lobster)
- kuku (mussels)
- pāua.
Further information on the bylaw can be found in the New Zealand Gazette notice
About this consultation
The Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki of the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve, Māhia, and Fisheries New Zealand sought submissions on proposed bylaws for the southern portion of the mātaitai.
The closing date for submissions was 12 November 2021.
Regulation 28(1) of the Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 allows the Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki of the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve to make bylaws restricting or prohibiting the take of fisheries resources for the purpose of sustainable utilisation.
The proposed bylaws were to apply to non-commercial fishing. Commercial fishing was already excluded from the mātaitai.
Objectives of the proposed bylaws
The Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki of the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve believed bylaws were necessary to protect their mahinga kai shellfish species, specifically kina, rock lobster, mussels and pāua.
The Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki noticed a serious decline in the number and size of shellfish species in their rohe moana from Waikokopu to Opoutama within the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve. They were also concerned about the impact of land-based activities on the near shore reefs, the high accessibility of the reefs by non-commercial fishers, and increasing illegal fishing activities.
The Tangata Kaitiaki/Tiaki planned to monitor the health of the shellfish beds to see how they responded to the proposed bylaws to inform future community management of the species.
Proposed bylaws
A person must not take any of the following species from Waikokopu to Opoutama within the Te Hoe Mātaitai Reserve:
- kina
- kōura (rock lobster)
- kuku (mussels)
- pāua.
Map of the Waikokopu to Opoutama area
Submissions are public information
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