Waiheke temporary closure 2021
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 25 January 2021 the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust issued an invitation to a ceremony on Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island, where they would be placing a rāhui around the Island. The rāhui would apply to all harvesting of scallops, pāua, crayfish and mussels (except farmed mussels).
On 4 February Fisheries New Zealand advised they were consulting on a request by the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust for a 2-year temporary closure of waters around Waiheke Island, out to 1 nautical mile, to all harvest of scallops, pāua, crayfish and mussels (except farmed mussels).
On 29 November Fisheries New Zealand advised the Minister’s approval for this 2-year temporary closure effective from 1 December 2021 until November 2023. See details below.
Submission
Submissions are due with Fisheries New Zealand by 22 March 2021. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with the LegaSea team and others to develop a submission in support of the application made under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
Relevant information
2021
Decision
Minister's approval Waiheke temporary closure. 17 Nov 2021
Gazette notice confirming Minister David Parker’s approval of a 2-year temporary closure around Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf. The closure prohibits the harvest of scallops, mussels, crayfish and pāua within 1nm of the Waiheke coastline. Advice received from Fisheries NZ on 29 November. Hon David Parker. 17 November 2021.
Submission
Waiheke s186A. NZSFC. 26 Feb 2021
Submission in support of the proposed 2-year temporary closure around Waiheke Island to all harvesting of scallops, mussels, crayfish and pāua. Except farmed mussels. NZSFC. 26 February 2021.
News
Section 186A update. Gulf News. 19 Feb 2021
Article advising Fisheries New Zealand had received at least 50 submissions in response to the s186A temporary closure application. Gulf News. 19 February 2021.
Customary rāhui ceremony. 31 Jan 2021
Ceremony celebrating the customary tikanga practice of rāhui was held at Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island, 31 January 2021. The LegaSea team joined more than 100 people on Oneroa Beach at 5.30am, before the sun rose.
Rāhui media release. LegaSea. 30 Jan 2021
Recreational fishers collaborate to support the application for a 2-year temporary closure around Waiheke Island. Organisation representatives will attend the customary rahui ceremony at Waiheke on 31 January. LegaSea. 30 January 2021
Waiheke rāhui media release. Ngāti Pāoa. 25 Jan 2021
Ngāti Pāoa media release advising of the rāhui ceremony to be held on 31 January at Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island. 25 Jan 2021
Proposal
Waiheke s186A closure proposal. FNZ. 4 Feb 2021
Letter advising of a request for a 2-year temporary closure around Waiheke Island to all harvesting of scallops, mussels, crayfish and pāua. Fisheries New Zealand. 4 Feb 2021
Section 186A closure application. Ngati Pāoa Iwi Trust. 25 Jan 2021
Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust request a temporary closure around Waiheke Island, from the foreshore to 1 nautical mile offshore. Temporary closure to apply to all harvest of scallops, mussels, crayfish and pāua. Except farmed mussels. Application made under s186A of the Fisheries Act. 25 January 2021.