Te Māta closure application
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 17 December 2019 Fisheries New Zealand advised they were seeking urgent submissions on an application for a 2-year temporary closure along the Thames coastline.
The closure was for a total ban on the taking of mussels (kūtai), pipi, and cockles (tuangi) from Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
Submission
On 20 December 2019 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly submitted in support of the request for closure.
Decisions
On 6 January 2020 Fisheries New Zealand advised the Minister of Fisheries, Stuart Nash, had approved a 6-month closure of Te Mata and Waipatukahu to the harvesting of pipi, cockles and mussels. The closure is effective from 10 January to 9 July 2020.
On 8 January we requested the Minister’s decision letter. FNZ advised there is no decision letter as these are not required for temporary closure decisions.
On 13 July 2020 Fisheries New Zealand advised the Minister had approved the 2-year temporary closure of Te Mata and Waipatukahu, west Coromandel, to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters. The closure is effective from 10 July 2020 until July 2022.
Relevant information
2020
Approval
Gazette notice. 2 July 2020
Gazette notice confirming a section 186A temporary closure to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters from Te Mata and Waipatukahu area from 10 July 2020 until July 2022. Fisheries New Zealand. 2 July 2020.
Proposal – 2 year closure
Concern at pillage of kaimoana. Interview. Te Ao Maori news. 5 June 2020
Ngāti Tamaterā spokesperson Koro Ngapo expresses concern about the state of shellfish stocks and the excessive harvest by visitors to the area. Interview and article on Te Ao Maori News. 5 June 2020.
Section s186A closure application. Ngāti Tamaterā. 19 May 2020
Ngati Tamatera request a renewal of the existing s186A closure for a further two years. The closure would apply to the harvest of oysters as well as pipi, cockles and mussels. Ngāti Tamaterā. 19 May 2020.
OIA request. Te Mata closure. 8 Jan 2020
Request to Fisheries New Zealand under the Official Information Act, for the advice provided to the Minister on the Te Mata closure application. Request dated 8 January 2020. Request was made to better understand the reasons why the Minister chose to close the applicant area for six months rather than the two years, as per original application. FNZ replied on 13 February 2020.
2019
Submission
Submission. Joint recreational. 20 Dec 2019
Submission. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association jointly support the request for a 2-year closure.
Proposal
Advice to Minister. FNZ. 19 Dec 2019
Fisheries New Zealand advice to the Minister in regards to the request for a 2-year closure of coastal waters around Te Mata and Waipatukahu, western Coromandel Peninsula, to the harvest of pipi, cockles and mussels. Advice received under the Official Information Act 1982, on 13 February 2020.
Application for Te Māta closure. 12 Dec 2019
Request for a 2-year closure of the Te Māta and Waipatukahu (Tapu) Mahinga Mātaitai on the Thames coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. The temporary closure means no harvest by any person of mussels, pipe and cockles, for two years.
2004
Closure extension
Coromandel coast 186A temporary closure. 2004
A record of the 2004 process to extend a temporary closure to the harvest of cockles and pipi under s186A of the Fisheries Act. Closure to apply to the Thames coast between Ngarimu and Wilson’s Bay. The Minister announced approval for the extension in December 2004.
Legislation
Section 186A Fisheries Act
Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. Temporary closure of fishing area or restriction on fishing methods.
