Hauraki Gulf's fish stocks in decline, with crayfish 'functionally extinct' in some areas

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Snapper is the main fish species caught by recreational fishers. But cuts in bag limits, increased size limits and fewer recreational fishers have contributed to a fall in the numbers of the fish being caught by hobbyists.

Crayfish are 'functionally extinct' in some areas of the Hauraki Gulf and snapper and tarakihi populations are struggling, a new report shows.

The decline in stocks means the amount of snapper being reeled in by recreational fishers has dropped by as much as 27 per cent.

The latest State of our Gulf report, produced every three years by the Hauraki Gulf Forum, warned of the growing impact of overfishing, development and population growth on the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, which was established through legislation in 2000.

'Now, as we approach 20 years, our knowledge of the Marine Park has grown substantially. However, by and large, most of the issues that existed when the Marine Park was established have not been resolved,' the report stated.

* 'Thousands' of dead mackerel found in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf**

At the heart of the report's findings is the impact of both commercial and recreational fishing on its marine life.

Recreational fisherman Henry Henry at Auckland's Okahu Bay Wharf.

'We are taking more fish commercially. The total reported commercial catch of fish in the most recent three-year period was around 30 per cent greater than in three years before Marine Park was established.

'Fishing continues to have a major impact on the entire Marine Park ecosystem. It substantially reduces populations of target species; disturbs seafloor habitats and communities; and, inadvertently kills threatened seabirds. Fishing has also altered the dynamics and characteristics of marine communities (particularly inshore reef communities).'

According to the report since 2000, snapper, tarakihi and crayfish have been at, or have fallen to, levels where action was needed to actively rebuild their stocks. While in many areas crayfish were 'functionally extinct'.

But it claims changes to the recreational bag and size limits for snapper and the commercial catch allowances for crayfish and tarakihi should allow them to rebuild towards fishery targets.

A one year-old Bryde's whale in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.

Cuts in bag limits, increased size limits and fewer recreational fishers have contributed to a 27 per cent fall in the numbers of snapper caught recreationally in 2011–12 and 2017–18, according to the report.

'Catches of John Dory and tarakihi also dropped, but more gurnard was taken in the latest survey. Little change occurred in kingfish and kahawai catches.'

A significant reduction in bottom trawling since 2000 is one positive to take from the report.

'However, around 22 per cent of Danish seine sets have been occurring in areas where this method has been prohibited since 1986. Fisheries NZ acknowledges there is a discrepancy between how the legislation, which defines this area, has been interpreted and presented in this report, and what is currently understood and enforced in practice.'

New Zealand Recreational Fishing Council (NZRFC) president Keith Ingram said he wasn't surprised by the report's findings.

'The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park should be just that. The commercial bulk fishing methods of trawling and Danish seine need to be pushed out of the gulf,' Ingram said.

'Recreational fishermen are working to a snapper catch limit of 30cm, but all we are doing is propping up the total allowable commercial catch.'

He agreed that crayfish stocks are in a serious state. But Ingram said the Ministry of Fisheries options are limited by the fact it can only enforce existing legislation.

'So to be fair unless the minister and the government make some decision there's not much they can do.'