Rock lobster limit change on east coast, potential changes on pāua fishing

Friday, 29 May 2020

Fisheries New Zealand has announced a maximum three-day accumulation limit of three bags is being imposed in Canterbury and Marlborough, allowing a total take of 18 spiny rock lobsters.

The Government has implemented a recreational gathering limit for rock lobster in Canterbury and Marlborough, while changes to pāua fishing in the area are potentially on the way.

Fisheries New Zealand announced a maximum three-day accumulation limit of three bags is being created for the CRA 5 section of the Kaikōura Marine, allowing a total take of 18 spiny rock lobsters. A daily limit of six previously applied.

NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council chief executive Mark Edwards said the industry was very supportive of the changes.

Fishers must store each day's catch in a bag or container that is clearly labelled with the individual fisher's name, the date it was taken, and the number held.

Recreationally caught rock lobsters are required to be telson clipped, which involves cutting off one-third of the telson (rear of the abdomen) so it is noticeably shorter than the other sections of the tail fan. The move prevents poachers selling lobsters taken under the cover of legal recreational activity.

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Public consultation is open for the draft Pāua Fisheries Plan and submissions can be made until July 2.

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NZ Rock Lobster Industry Council chief executive Mark Edwards said the industry was very supportive of the changes.

The 2016 earthquake fundamentally changed the nature of the Kaikōura pāua fishery, causing an uplift to the seabed in the northern portion.

“These measures will help expose poaching and black-market activities that negatively impact the stock and deprive the legitimate customary, commercial and recreational sectors of fishing success.'

Current catch rate information – which is the key measure for how abundant the lobsters are – suggests the CRA 5 section of the Kaikōura Marine area was “in good shape”.

Edwards said a full assessment of the area's rock lobster population was scheduled for October. It would be used to inform future fishery management decisions.

Fisheries NZ is also seeking public feedback to subdivide the pāua fishery along the Kaikōura and Canterbury coasts, known as the PAU3 quota management area.

Fisheries Management director Emma Taylor said splitting the area in two would allow Fisheries NZ to set up specific rules for each area to better deal with the specific pressures in each fishery.

It would also allow Fisheries NZ to close either area if needed to preserve pāua numbers.

“The 2016 earthquakes fundamentally changed the nature of this fishery, causing an uplift to the seabed in the northern portion of the fishery. We responded at the time by reducing catch limits across the whole of the PAU3 quota management area to give the pāua a chance to rebuild,” she said.

“The southern portion of the fishery is doing well, and we want to make sure people can continue to use it sustainably.”

Public consultation is open and people can make submissions on the proposed plan until July 2. Further information can be found on the Fisheries NZ website.

In 2017, Canterbury fisherman Michael Andrew Dickson, 45, admitted he ran a lengthy black market pāua and rock lobster operation in exchange for cash, favours, alcohol and wild meat.

A Ministry for Primary Industries investigation uncovered Dickson's offending, which included selling 346 rock lobster and 200 pāua on the black market between January and May 2015, and between September 2015 and May 2016.

Dickson was sentenced to four months' community detention and 200 hours' community work by the Christchurch District Court.

The total retail value of the seafood, if purchased legitimately, was more than $30,000.