Northland scallop TAC review 2020

DECISION: APPROVED

Introduction

On 13 December 2019 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the catch levels for Northland scallops (SCA 1) for 2020-21.

FNZ propose to reduce the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) to reflect the current state of the fishery and address sustainability risks.

The TACC in Northland scallops has been under-caught since 2007.

Submissions in response to the proposals were due by 5 February 2020. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association to submit a response by 5 February.

Proposal

Fisheries New Zealand is proposing the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries reduces the TAC by 60% and the TACC by 75%. They also propose the Minister retains the current allowances set aside to allow for Māori customary and recreational fishing interests, while reducing the allowance set aside to allow for fishing related mortality by 75%.

Table 1: Proposed Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances for the Northland scallop fishery (SCA 1), in tonnes.

Submission

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association to submit a response to Fisheries New Zealand by 5 February.

The joint parties supported the Minister reducing the TAC by 60% and TACC by 75% on the basis that commercial dredging in inshore waters is reviewed, and that commercial hand gathering and other low impact methods of harvesting scallops is permitted in selected areas.

Relevant information

2020

Decision

Fisheries NZ

Submission

Proposal

Research