New Zealand Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has announced changes to the catch limits of four rock lobster stocks.
Catch limits in Otago and Southland fisheries will increase, while catch limits in Gisborne and Wellington/Hawke Bay fisheries will decrease. The limit changes will take effect on 1 April 2009.
Mr Heatley said his decisions were based on the best information available and careful consideration of submissions received from customary, recreational and commercial fishers, and the wider public.
“My overriding goal when adjusting catch limits is to make sure there will be fish for future generations of fishers.”
“When the science says extra fish can be safely taken then I will increase catch limits. However, if the science suggests catch limits need to be cut to protect the sustainability of the fishery, I will not hesitate to cut catches,” Mr Heatley said.
Southern Rock Lobster fisheries
From 1 April, total catch in Otago (CRA 7) will increase 45% from 144 tonnes to 209 tonnes, and in Southland (CRA 8) total catch will increase 5% from 1053 tonnes to 1110 tonnes.
Both fisheries are closely managed with ongoing monitoring of stock health and abundance. This enables rapid responses to changes in lobster numbers to maintain strong and healthy stocks.
Northern Rock Lobster fisheries
Catch limits in Gisborne (CRA 3) and in Wellington/Hawke Bay (CRA 4) will decrease.
“There are problems in these fisheries and our focus needs to be on increasing the numbers of lobsters in the water,” Mr Heatley said.
Total catch in Gisborne (CRA 3) will decrease 9% from 319 tonnes to 293 tonnes, with the commercial operators wearing all of the pain this time around.
Mr Heatley has asked the sector groups in CRA 3 to work constructively together in 2009 to develop a management tool to guide the setting of catch limits in the future.
The Minister has also adopted a new management tool that will guide the setting of catch limits in CRA 4 and should help the stock recover to healthy levels. In accordance with this new regime the total catch limit will be cut 40% from 771 tonnes to 460 tonnes.
The cuts in both fisheries affect commercial quotas only.
