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Review of southern blue whiting 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 2 southern blue whiting 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

Mainland New Zealand southern blue whiting (SBW 1)

Increase the TAC from 8 to 100 tonnes, make no allowance for customary Māori and recreational fishing, set an allowance for all other sources of mortality caused by fishing at 2 tonnes, and set the TACC at 98 tonnes.

Bounty Platform southern blue whiting (SBW 6B)

Reduce the TAC from 3,000 to 2,426 tonnes, make no allowance for customary Māori and recreational fishing, set the allowance for all other sources of mortality caused by fishing at 53 tonnes, and set the TACC at 2,377 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 two southern blue whiting stocks.

Consultation ran from 26 January 2017 until 15 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 southern blue whiting 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.

Consultation documents

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

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the proposed changes by 5pm on 15 February 2017.

Email: FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

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

Deepwater 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.