Proposed temporary closure of Southern Scallops (SCA 7)

May 2017

DECISION - SCA 7 CLOSED (see below)

Introduction

On 10 May 2017 the Ministry for Primary Industries advised they were consulting on three options for the future management of the Southern Scallop fishery known as Scallop 7, SCA 7. Submission were due to MPI by 31 May 2017.

Traditionally the scallop season opens on 15 July and closes on 15 February the following year. 

A survey of the scallop beds in November 2015 show the SCA 7 biomass to be at its lowest recorded level. Following the survey, Nathan Guy, the Minister, closed parts of the fishery in July 2016, for a season. This was done to protect the beds from any further decline due to fishing. This closure expired on 15 February 2017.

A new survey was conducted in January and February 2017. It showed a further decrease in SCA 7 biomass when compared to the 2015 survey. MPI consider it likely that SCA 7 is below the hard limit, the point where it is MPI policy to close a fishery, as per MPI's Harvest Strategy Standard.

MPI propose 3 options for the future management of SCA 7:

1. Temporarily close all of SCA 7 to commercial and recreational scallop fishing for the 2017-18 scallop season. 
2. Temporarily close all of SCA 7 and Port Underwood to commercial and recreational scallop fishing for the 2017-18 scallop season.
3. No temporary closure of SCA 7, the status quo. 

Submission

On 31 May 2017 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) submitted in support of MPI's Option 2 - Close all of SCA 7 and Port Underwood to scallop fishing for the 2017-18 season. This option was supported because it is the most likely to ensure the survival of the stock and minimise the risk of further decline. 

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. Closure of Scallop 7 (SCA 7). 29 June 2017

Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries has agreed to close all of SCA 7 and Port Underwood to scallop fishing for the 2017-18 season. This decision aligns with the Council's submission made in May 2017. The closure applies to recreational and commercial scalloping. 

MPI decision paper. Scallop 7 (SCA 7). June 2017

The Ministry for Primary Industries advice to the Minister to assist in his decision making for the future management of Scallop 7. MPI recommend the Minister apply Option 2, to temporarily close all of SCA 7 and Port Underwood to commercial and recreational scallop fishing until 2018. In their view, it was the most likely option (of 3) to protect the few remaining scallop beds, while longer term measures are developed to support a recovery of the fishery. 

NZSFC submission. Scallop 7 (SCA 7). 31 May 2017

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) submission supporting the Ministry's Option 2 - Close all of SCA 7 and Port Underwood to scallop fishing for the 2017-18 season. This option was supported because it is the most likely to ensure the survival of the stock and minimise the risk of further decline. NZSFC also requested a position on the Working Group formed to review possible management options in the future. 

All submissions. Scallop 7 (SCA 7). May 2017

There were 84 submissions made in response to the Ministry's proposed options for the future management of SCA 7 and Port Underwood. Most, 76 of 84, supported a further closure given the poor state of the stock. Of the submitters, 52 considered Port Underwood needed protection from a potential transfer of effort if other areas were closed. This document was redacted by MPI to remove personal details prior to its release. CAUTION: File size - 19MB

MPI proposal. Scallop 7 (SCA 7). 10 May 2017

On 10 May 2017 the Ministry for Primary Industries advised they were consulting on three options for the future management of the Southern Scallop fishery known as Scallop 7. SCA 7 was closed in 2016 and subsequent surveys have shown a decline in biomass. MPI propose a further temporary closure of the fishery until 2018. Submission deadline is 31 May 2017.

MPI report. Scallop 7 biomass survey. May 2017

Annual biomass surveys have shown that SCA 7 has been declining since 2002. A biomass survey was conducted in 2015 and SCA 7 was temporarily closed in 2016. This report details results from the biomass survey conducted in January and February 2017. MPI conclude that SCA 7 is likely to be below the hard limit, the point where it is MPI policy to close a fishery, as per the Ministry's Harvest Strategy Standard.