Rock lobster 1, 7 & 8 TAC review 2022
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 14 December 2021 Fisheries New Zealand advised they were reviewing Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allowances for rock lobster in Quota Management Areas 1, 7 & 8 (CRA 1, CRA 7 & CRA 8). The Minister now must decide on setting new or retaining current TAC allowances for the three areas, including allowances for the annual harvest by Māori customary and recreational fishers.
Submissions were due by 8 February 2022. A Ministerial decision was expected in late March and any changes would apply from 1 April 2022.
On 29 March the Minister, David Parker, announced his approval for Option 1.2 to apply in CRA 1 with decreases to recreational and commercial allowances.
The Minister announced his approval for Option 7.2 in CRA 7, with increases to commercial and other mortality allowances.
The Minister announced his approval for Option 8.3 in CRA 8, with increases to commercial and other mortality allowances. All details are below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand proposed new TACs and allowances for CRA 1, 7 & 8.
Table 1: Current and proposed Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), allowances (in tonnes) and other allowances for CRA 1, 7 & 8
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 in CRA 1, and increased catch levels in CRA 7 & 8 to ensure economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of the fishery are met. A package of reforms including research in different areas of CRA 1 for eventual split management of the Quota Management Area, and removal of the CRA 3 concession are also required to protect the remaining, depleted stocks and enable them to rebuild to abundant levels.
Relevant information
2022
Minister’s decision
Minister's decision. Multiple stocks for April 1. March 29 2022.
Minister’s decisions for multiple stocks. Changes apply from April 1 2022. Letter. March 29 2022.
National Rock Lobster Management Group
Final advice to Minister 1 April Rock Lobster stocks. NRLMG. March 2022.
Fisheries New Zealand final advice paper and recommendations to the Minister on crayfish 1, 7 & 8 for 1 April 2022. March 2022.
Submissions
Submission. Review of CRA 1, 7 & 8. Joint recreational. 8 Feb 2022
Joint recreational submission in response to the proposed future management of crayfish in Northland (CRA 1), Otago (CRA 7) and Southland/Fiordland (CRA 8). Submission by NZ Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater. 8 February 2022.
Submissions to April 2022 review, part 2. Feb 2022.
Collation of submissions from large organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Apr. Submissions dated February 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [27MB]
Submissions to April 2022 review, part 1. Feb 2022.
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Apr. Submissions dated Feb 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [27MB]
2021
Proposal
Proposal. Rock Lobster 1, 7 & 8 TAC review. NRLMG. Dec 2021.
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to change the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in Rock Lobster 1, 7 & 8. These areas span the upper North Island and lower South Island. Submissions due by 8 February 2022.