Request for a further temporary pāua closure at Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) and Ōkahu (Jackson Bay), on the West Coast of the South Island

Consultation background

Pursuant to section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996, Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio requested a further 1-year temporary closure of the pāua fishery for:

• Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands)
• Ōkahu (Jackson Bay).

In July 2023, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries declared the Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) and Ōkahu areas as mātaitai reserves. Further temporary closures were requested to protect the pāua fisheries in these areas until bylaws can be established.

Fisheries New Zealand invited written submissions on the requests from people who had an interest in the stock concerned or in the effects of fishing in the areas concerned.

Area of the proposed Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) temporary closure

All that area of South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line of which every point is 1km from the mean high-water mark of the Open Bay Islands. The fisheries waters around Bignell Reef are included in the proposed area. It is approximately 5.7 square kilometres and approximately 4.3km offshore from the mainland.  

Map of the proposed Popotai Taumaka temporary closure [PDF, 13 MB]

The application for the temporary closure at Popotai Taumaka [PDF, 152 KB]

Area of the proposed Ōkahu (Jackson Bay) temporary closure

The approximate area of the proposed temporary closure extends from Homminy Point to Neil's Beach, and includes Homminy Cove, Smoothwater Bay, Jackson Head, and Ōkahu/Jackson Bay.

All that South Island fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

1. starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at Homminy Point (at 43°58.447′S and 168°34.065′E), then
2. proceeding in a straight line in a northerly direction for approximately 725m to a point offshore (at 43°58.057′S and 168°34.025′E), then
3. proceeding in a straight line in a north-easterly direction to a point offshore approximately 675m to the north of Jackson Head (at 43°57.216′S and 168°37.601′E), then
4. proceeding in a straight line in a south-easterly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at Neil’s Beach (at 43°59.742′S and 168°39.457′E), then
5. proceeding along the mean high-water mark in a generally north-westerly direction to the starting point.

The proposed area is approximately 10.6 square kilometres with an approximate 14.8km coastline.  

Map of the proposed Ōkahu temporary closure [PDF, 1.6 MB]

The application for the temporary closure at Ōkahu [PDF, 197 KB]

Public notices about this consultation

A public notice calling for submissions on the proposed further closures at Popotai Taumaka (Open Bay Islands) and Ōkahu (Jackson Bay) was placed in the following publications.

• Hokitika Guardian on Monday, 2 October 2023
• Greymouth Star on Monday, 2 October 2023
• Otago Daily Times on Monday, 2 October 2023
• West Coast Messenger on Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Information about temporary closures

Find out about the ways customary fishing is managed