New Zealand Sport Fishing Council > Our Fisheries > Submissions > 2017 Submissions > Proposed in-season catch increases for two stocks

Proposed in-season catch increases for two stocks

Red Cod 2 and Flatfish 3

June 2017

DECISION – INCREASED COMMERCIAL CATCH (see below)

Introduction

On 1 June 2017 the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) advised they were consulting on proposals to increase the total allowable catch for Flatfish 3 and Red Cod 2. This increase would apply from 1 July through to the end of September 2017. 

Flatfish 3 (FLA 3) is off the east coast of the South Island and Red Cod 2 (RCO 2) is off central and lower North Island. 

Submissions were required by 14 June 2017.

Submission

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) strongly objects to the Ministry’s ongoing habit of curbing public input by only allowing limited consultation time. An 8-working day timeframe to respond to the Ministry’s incomplete proposal documents is in adequate, unreasonable, and likely unlawful.

The Council submitted against any in-season increase to the total allowable catch (TAC) for Red Cod 2 and Flatfish 3. It is unacceptable to increase the TAC in Area 2 until the legal proceedings against Hawkes Bay Seafoods have concluded.  

Proposing an increase in the Flatfish 3 recreational allowance, from 150 to 217 tonnes, for several months is a farce and seems only a mechanism to justify the proposed 635 tonne increase for commercial interests. 

The management of low knowledge stocks such as flatfish and red cod needs to follow a precautionary approach as set out in the Ministry’s own Harvest Strategy Standard. There is no evidence to suggest the Minister can increase the TAC and ensure sustainability, as he is obliged to do under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Relevant information

What follows is a summary of relevant, available documents. Latest documents are at the top of the list. 

Click on the right hand image to download the document or follow the link to read more details.

Minister’s decision. Flatfish 3 & Red Cod 2.  August 2017

Nathan Guy, the Minister for Primary Industries has agreed to in-season increases to commercial catch levels for Flatfish 3 (FLA3) and Red Cod 2 (RCO2). This decision is contrary to our submission made in June this year. Given the sizeable catch increases we cannot accept the Minister’s assurance that it is unlkely to lead to sustainability risks for the Flatfish 3 and Red Cod 2 stocks, associated species and marine environment.  

MPI decision paper. Flatfish 3 & Red Cod 2. August 2017

The Ministry for Primary Industries advice to the Minister to assist in his decision making and whether to apply an in-season increase to the total allowable catch (TAC) and associated allowances for Flatfish 3 (FLA 3) and Red Cod 2 (RCO 2). For FLA3 the new commercial allocation – Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE), and allowances will apply until 30 September 2017. The Red Cod 2 TAC will return to baseline levels after 30 September, those levels are currently being discussed. 

NZSFC submission. FLA 3 and RCO 2 proposals. 14 June 2017

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submission opposing any in-season increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) for Red Cod 2 (RCO 2) and Flatfish 3 (FLA 3). No TAC or TACC increase in Area 2 until the legal proceedings against Hawkes Bay Seafoods have concluded. No TAC increase in FLA 3 because any increase in fishing effort will have unknown environmental impacts. More precautionary management ought to apply to these low knowledge stocks. 

MPI proposal. Flatfish 3 (FLA 3). 1 June 2017

The Ministry for Primary Industries proposes a 718 tonne in-season increase to the total allowable catch (TAC) and associated allowances for Flatfish 3 (FLA 3). Any in-season increase in the commercial allocation – Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) – will apply until 30 September 2017. Any in-season increase in the customary and recreational allowances, and the allowance for other sources of fishing related mortality, will return to baseline levels after 30 September. The TAC will return to baseline, status quo, levels after 30 September. 

MPI proposal. Red Cod 2 (RCO 2). 1 June 2017

The Ministry for Primary Industries proposes a 307 tonne in-season increase to the total allowable catch (TAC) and associated allowances for Red Cod 2 (RCO 2). Any in-season increase in the commercial allocation – Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) – will apply until 30 September 2017. Any in-season increase in the customary and recreational allowances, and the allowance for other sources of fishing related mortality, will return to baseline levels after 30 September. The TAC will return to baseline, status quo, levels after 30 September. 

MPI notice. Flatfish 3 (FLA 3) & Red Cod 2 (RCO 2). 1 June 2017

The Ministry for Primary Industries advise they are seeking submissions on proposals for an in-season increase to the total allowable catch (TAC) and associated allowances for Red Cod 2 (RCO 2) and Flatfish 3 (FLA 3). Any in-season increase in the commercial allocation – Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) – will apply until 30 September 2017. Any in-season increase in the customary and recreational allowances, and the allowance for other sources of fishing related mortality, will return to baseline levels after 30 September. The TAC will return to baseline, status quo, levels after 30 September. Submissions are due by 14 June 2017.