Crayfish management 2016
Management review, nationwide
Introduction
Crayfish (red rock lobster) are a prized catch and important ecologically so it is critical we protect the fish stocks from over-exploitation.
Our ability to catch a feed of crayfish varies depending on where you live, suitable crayfish habitat, and how much commercial effort is concentrated in your area.
Nationally in 2011-12 the recreational catch of crayfish was estimated at 185 tonnes. This compares to a commercial harvest of 2752 tonnes in the same year.
Latest proposals
The National Rock Lobster Management Group is seeking stakeholder views on proposed new Management Procedures to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in Crayfish 5 (NE South Island) and CRA 8 (SW South Island). The Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) will remain the same in these areas but an increase in the recreational allowance is proposed for CRA5.
Decreases in the TACC applying in CRA4 (SE North Island) and CRA9 (west coast Kaipara to Franz Josef) are proposed.
Any changes will apply from 1 April 2016.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted its response by the deadline of 11 February 2016.
Click on the right-hand image to read or download the document. Most recent activity is at the top of the list.
Minister’s decision. Crayfish review. 17 March 2016
Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries’ decisions for some crayfish stocks are mixed, reducing the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) for CRA 4 (SE North Island), retaining current levels in CRA 8 and 9, SW South Island and North Island, and applying a new overall recreational allowance (not new bag limits) in CRA 5, top of the South Island.
NZSFC submission. Crayfish controls review. 11 February 2016
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council aspires to have abundant rock lobster (crayfish) populations, but the models and management advice seems to favour maximum exploitation. The Minister has a statutory duty to sustainably manage fisheries to maintain the potential of our fisheries resources to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
NZSFC review summary. Crayfish proposals. 25 January 2016
Management procedures are used in all of New Zealand’s crayfish stocks. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has objected to the application of Management Procedures in our crayfish stocks because they are skewed towards highest possible commercial catch, and they fail to give adequate consideration to the long-term need to sustain the stock and provide for people’s social, economic and cultural wellbeing.
MPI proposals. Crayfish controls review. 14 January 2016
The Ministry for Primary Industries proposes to apply two new Management Procedures in Crayfish 5 (NE South Island) and CRA 8 (SW South Island) to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs). The Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) will remain the same in these two areas but an increase in the recreational allowance is proposed for CRA5.
MPI also propose to decreases in the TACC applying in CRA4 (SE North Island) and CRA9 (west coast Kaipara to Franz Josef).
Details of NZSFC input to reviews by year –
CRA3 2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |