Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2 TAC review 2021
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 23 June 2021 Fisheries New Zealand advised they were reviewing the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) in Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2 (HPB 1 & 2). The Minister must now decide the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for both areas and set aside allowances for the annual harvest by Māori customary and recreational fishers. When setting the TAC for the first time the Minister must also set aside an allowance for the mortality caused by fishing.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) was involved in joint stakeholder meetings prior to the current proposals from FNZ. There was general agreement at those meetings that both HPB 1 & 2 were in trouble and catches needed to be reduced.
Submissions were due by 27 July 2021. A Ministerial decision was expected in September and any changes would apply from 1 October 2021.
On 24 September the Minister, David Parker, announced his approval for Option 3 to apply in Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2, with changes to recreational controls. Details below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand propose new TACs and allowances for HPB 1 & 2, and reduced TACCs for both areas.
Table 1: Current and proposed Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), allowances (in tonnes) and regulatory controls for HPB 1 & 2.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and other national representative organisations including NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater to develop a submission in response to the FNZ proposals.
The submitters called for reduced catch levels to ensure hāpuku and bass are taken as bycatch only in the commercial and non-commercial fisheries. A package of reforms including area controls are also required to protect the remaining, depleted stocks and enable them to rebuild to abundant levels.
Relevant information
2021
Minister’s decision
Ministers decision for multiple stocks, for 1 October. 24 Sep 2021
Minister’s decisions for multiple stocks. Changes to apply from 1 October 2021. Letter. 24 September 2021.
Fisheries New Zealand
Final advice to Minister 1 Oct stocks. FNZ. September 2021
Fisheries New Zealand final advice paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks, for 1 October 2021. September 2021.
Submission
TAC reviews 3 stocks. 27 July 2021
Submission in response to proposals for Snapper 8, Gurnard 1 and Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2. A combined species submission highlighting the need for ecosystem based management, the need for precautionary decisions by the Minister, and the need to reduce our impact on the marine environment. Joint submission by NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association & NZ Underwater. 27 July 2021.
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 1. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct. Submissions dated July 2021. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021. [18MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 2. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct 2021. Submissions dated July 2021. Part 2. Collation by Fisheries New Zealand. Sep 2021. [9MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 3. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 October. Submissions dated July 2021. Collated by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021.
Proposal
Proposal. Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2 TAC review. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to reduce the Total Allowable Catches (TACCs) in Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2. This area spans the upper North Island east and west coast, and the southeast coast of the North Is. Submissions due by 27 July 2021.
Review, mixed species proposal letter. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand advise they are reviewing a range of fish stocks and TACs for the next fishing season. Submissions are due by 27 July 2021. FNZ letter. 23 June 2021.