Crayfish Aggregation limit exemption 2016
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On an unknown date the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) received an application from the Fiordland Lobster Company Limited (FLC) to hold rock lobster (crayfish) quota in excess of aggregation limits in the CRA 4, 7 and 8 fish stocks. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and supporters strongly objected to the application and has asked the Minister to deny the application.
Under the Fisheries Act 1996 no person or entity is entitled to own more than 10,000,000 quota shares (10%) for any one rock lobster quota management area. This is known as an aggregation limit.
The Fiordland Lobster Company Ltd has applied to hold up to 20,000,000 quota shares (20%) in perpetuity and without condition in CRA 4 (Wellington/Hawkes Bay), CRA 7 (Otago) and CRA 8 (Southern).
NZSFC response
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council opposed the application for exemption from the aggregation limit with no conditions attached, and in perpetuity.
Relevant information
2017
Minister’s decision
Minister's decision. Nathan Guy. 22 Sep 2017
Ministerial approval to allow the Fiordland Lobster Company and its subsidiaries to hold up to 15% of the TACC in CRA 4, 7 & 8. Nathan Guy letter. 22 September 2017.
Advice to Minister
Advice paper. MPI. Sep 2017
Advice paper to the Minister of Fisheries Nathan Guy on the Fiordland Lobster Company’s application to hold crayfish quota in excess of the aggregation limits. The advice paper highlights that the Minister could approve the application, approve with conditions, or decline the consent. MPI. September 2017.
2016
Submission
Submission. NZSFC. 13 May 2016
Submission opposing the application by the Fiordland Lobster Company Ltd for exemption from the aggregation limit of 10% applying to all rock lobster fish stocks. The Council also opposes the application for quota in excess of aggregation limits to be issued without condition and in perpetuity. Perpetual quota enables private, commercial interests to weild an unreasonable level of power over the management of fish stocks. NZSFC. 13 May 2016.
Proposal
Advice of application. MPI. 15 Apr 2016
The Ministry for Primary Industries advice of an application from the Fiordland Lobster Company Ltd for exemption from the aggregation limit of 10% applying to all rock lobster fish stocks. The Minister is required under law to consult with interested parties. Submissions due by 13 May 2016. MPI advice letter 15 April 2016.
Aggregation limit application. Fiordland Lobster Co. undated
The Fiordland Lobster Company Ltd application for consent to hold quota in excess of the aggregation limit, of 10%, that applies to all rock lobster fish stocks. This FLC application applies to CRA 4 (Wellington/Hawkes Bay), CRA 7 (Otago) and CRA 8 (Southern). The FLC also requests the exemption to be issued without condtion and in perpetuity. FLC. Supplied by MPI in April 2016.