CRA 3, 4 & 7 TAC review 2017
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 20 December 2016, the National Rock Lobster Management Group (NRLMG) released a summary of proposals for the future management of CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 4 (Hawkes Bay-Wellington) and CRA 7 (Otago).
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) released their Discussion Paper for CRA 3, 4 & 7 on 11 January 2017, with no amendments to the NRLMG’s proposals.
Submissions were due with MPI by 10 February 2017.
Despite the lack of any meaningful responses to earlier submissions, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) developed a comprehensive submission for MPI by 10 February.
Proposals
MPI proposed commercial catch reductions in CRA 3 and CRA 4, and a commercial catch increase in CRA 7. See MPI table below.
CRA 3 extends from East Cape to Wairoa. CRA 4 starts at Wairoa, continues down past Wellington and up the west coast to the Manawatu River at Foxton. CRA 7 is a unique fish stock in the South Island, extending from the Waitaki River, north to Oamaru, to Long Point, south of Balclutha.
A serious omission in the MPI proposals was the absence of any reference to the existing concessions that enable commercial fishers to take crayfish smaller than the minimum legal size that applies to recreational harvest.
Concessions apply in CRA 3, 7 & 8 (Southland-Fiordland). The NZSFC consider this a serious omission of relevant information given the conflict these concessions have caused since the 1990s.
Submission
In February 2017 the NZSFC responded to the proposals from MPI for the future management of CRA 3, 4 and 7.
We made several recommendations and highlighted the need for the Minister to take a precautionary approach when setting catch limits in the crayfish stocks. All rock lobster stocks are managed using uncertain and incomplete information.
It is not sufficient that management settings are designed to maximise commercial harvest while denying public fishing opportunities.
Now is the time to reverse the declining trends in abundance and improve public access in all the management areas.
Relevant information
2017
Minister’s decision
CRA 3, 4 & 7 Minister's decision letter. 23 Mar 2017
Decision letter outlining the future catch limits and management for CRA 3 (Gisborne), 4 (Hawkes Bay-Wellington) and CRA 7 (Otago). Nathan Guy. Letter received 23 March 2017.
Final Advice to Minister
CRA 3, 4 & 7 Final Advice Paper. NRLMG. March 2017
Advice and recommendations on the future management of CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 4 (Hawkes Bay-Wellington) and CRA 7 (Otago). National Rock Lobster Management Group. March 2017.
Submissions
CRA 3, 4 & 7 TAC review submission. NZSFC. 10 Feb 2017
Comprehensive submission including recommendations for the future management of CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 4 (Hawkes Bay-Wellington) and CRA 7 (Otago). New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 10 February 2017.
CRA submission summary. NZSFC. 10 Feb 2017
Summary of the recent submission on the future management of CRA 3, 4 and 7. Summary by LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 10 February 2017.
CRA 3, 4 & 7. Public submissions. Feb 2017
Copies of public submissions in response to the proposed management settings for CRA 3, 4 & 7 from 1 April 2017. Compiled by the National Rock Lobster Management Group in March 2017.
CRA 3, 4 & 7. Preliminary proposal review. NZSFC. Jan 2017
A summary of MPI’s proposals for the future management of CRA 3, 4 & 7. Preliminary view of the proposals, potential outcomes and recommendations. New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 25 January 2017.
Management proposal
CRA 3, 4 & 7 TAC review proposal. MPI. Jan 2017
Review of TAC and catch settings for CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 4 (Hawkes Bay-Wellington) and CRA 7 (Otago). Ministry for Primary Industries. January 2017.
CRA 3, 4 & 7 proposal review. NRLMG. 16 Dec 2016
Summary of proposals for CRA 3, 4 and 7. Also background information on the National Rock Lobster Management Group and how rock lobster stocks are managed in New Zealand. NRLMG. 16 December 2016.
Science information
CRA Plenary. MPI. November 2016
Compilation of science data and management information on all rock lobster stocks managed under the Quota Management System. Ministry for Primary Industries. November 2016.
Report. CRA 3 amateur harvest survey design. MPI. Oct 2016
A report describing amateur harvest of crayfish in the CRA 3, Gisborne, fishery. It describes the challenges in gathering harvest information, and how that might be improved. Ministry for Primary Industries. October 2016.
Public awareness
Article. Crayfish survey defies Ministry spin. LegaSea. 20 Mar 2017
A landmark survey of people who pot and dive for crayfish on the east coast defies MPI assurances that the fishery is doing well. LegaSea. 20 March 2017.
Article. Mismanagement of crayfish continues. LegaSea. 3 March 2017
The proposed changes to crayfish catch settings are concerning because they rely on unverified data. The outcome is that management benefits a small group of commercial interests, leaving behind depleted ecosystems and few crays. LegaSea. 3 March 2017.
Media. Crayfish management needs urgent action. LegaSea. 14 Feb 2017
Media release. Crayfish management needs to be urgently addressed. Concerns about proposals to increase commercial fishing of crayfish in Otago. LegaSea and New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 14 February 2017.
Article. Crayfish hammered near Gisborne. Ingram. 12 Feb 2017
NZ Recreational Fishing Council rep says Gisborne’s crayfish fishery is not all bad. Keith Ingram, NZRFC and National Rock Lobster Management Group rep. 12 February 2017.
Article. Illegal crayfish take a disaster. Gisborne. 1 Feb 2017
Gisborne locals concerned about illegal harvest of crayfish. MPI recommends a catch reduction. Gisborne Herald. Michael Neilson. 1 February 2017.