Kaikoura shellfish and seaweed closure

Emergency earthquake measures

September 2017

In June 2017 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) advised it was reviewing the current emergency closure along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines. MPI were proposing to replace the emergency closure with a new closure under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. 

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted in support of a full closure to the harvesting of shellfish and seaweeds under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996.

January 2017

On November 14^th 2016 an earthquake struck the South Island’s eastern seaboard causing significant damage to property, a loss of life, and an upheaval of the ground not previously seen. The Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastline was transformed when much of the inshore reef system uplifted out of the sea, exposing paua, crayfish, other shellfish, and seaweeds.

Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries, used emergency measures to close the coastline to the harvest of paua, other shellfish, seaweeds, and crayfish. The temporary closure was valid until 20 February 2017.

Extension proposal

On January 20^th the Ministry advised they were consulting on a proposed 9-month extension of the emergency closure. Submissions were requested by 31 January.

On 31 January the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted in support of extending the closure until November.

Ministerial decision

A Ministerial decision was announced on 20 February, advising the closure had been extended until November. The closure applies to the harvest of paua, other shellfish, and seaweeds, except crayfish and scampi.

The closure extends from Marfells Beach, near Ward, south to the Conway River, to the south of the Kaikoura township, and offshore to 4 nautical miles. 

Relevant information

What follows is a summary of relevant, available documents. Latest documents are at the top of the list. 

Click on the right hand image to download the document or follow the link to read more details.

Minister's decision. Review of Kaikoura & Cape Campbell coastline closures.18 September 2017

Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries has agreed with the NZ Sport Fishing Council's submission on reducing catch limits in two earthquake affected Paua stocks, Paua 3 & 7. He has also agreed with our submission supporting a closure of the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines to the harvesting of shellfish and seaweeds, under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996.

MPI advice paper. Review of selected inshore fish stocks & Kaikoura closure. August 2017

MPI advice and recommendations to the Minister on a range of options for the future management of Bluenose, Gurnard 7, Red Cod 2, Paua 3 and 7. Also advice on the proposal to close all shellfish and seaweed fisheries along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. [CAUTION: FILE 12MB]

NZSFC Submission. Closure of Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coasts. 7 July 2017

The NZSFC supports the full closure of shellfish and seaweed fisheries along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines, until the best available science deems it safe to reopen. The NZSFC acknowledge the cooperation from local iwi to refrain from the harvest during this clsoure. The need for all users to allow this at-risk fishery to recover is clear. 

All Submissions - Part 1. Closure of Kaikoura and Review of selected inshore fish stocks. July 2017

MPI compilation of all submissions to the proposal to replace the current emergency closure along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines with a new closure under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. Also, all submissions in response to the Ministry's proposals for the future management of Bluenose, Gurnard 7, Red Cod 2, Paua 3 and 7. Part 1 - pages 1 - 100.   [CAUTION: FILE SIZE 12MB]

All Submissions - Part 2. Closure of Kaikoura and Review of selected inshore fish stocks. July 2017

MPI compilation of all submissions to the proposal to replace the current emergency closure along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines with a new closure under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. Also, all submissions in response to the Ministry's proposals for the future management of Bluenose, Gurnard 7, Red Cod 2, Paua 3 and 7. Part 1 - pages 101 - 206.   [CAUTION: FILE SIZE 13MB]

MPI Proposal. Closure of Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coasts. June 2017

MPI propose to replace the current emergency closure along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastlines with a new closure under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. The closure would prohibit all harvest except customary. Local iwi have voluntarily agreed to limit their harvest to tangi only. The proposal would allow the Minister to manage the closure of individual species as science reveals when/if these can be reopened. 

Minister's decision. Temporary closure Kaikoura to Cape Campbell. 20 February 2017

On 20th February Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries, announced the extension to the temporary closure that prohibits the harvest of shellfish and seaweeds along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastline until 5pm on 20 November 2017.  

NZSFC Submission. Kaikoura closure. 31 January 2017

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council recommends the Minister extends the emergency closure to the maximum term allowed under section 16(3) of the Fisheries Act 1996, emergency closure regulations. This would see the closure in place unitl 20th November 2017. 

Submissions. Kaikoura closure. January 2017

A collation of public submissions in response to the proposed extension of the emergency closure of the Kaikoura coastline to the harvest of shellfish and seaweed, excluding rock lobster and scampi. Most submissions support the extended closure by the Minister.

MPI map. Kaikoura to Cape Campbell.

Map of the closure area. The temporary closure covers the coastline between the Conway River to Marfells Beach area, and offshore to 4 nautical miles. 

MPI information. Temporary closure Kaikoura to Cape Campbell.

More information from MPI on reasons for the temporary closure that prohibits the harvest of shellfish and seaweeds along the Kaikoura and Cape Campbell coastline until 5pm on 20 November 2017.