Commercial catch limits have been announced for the Bay of Plenty crayfish collectors.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has today announced changes to catch limits for seven commercial fish stocks, aimed at ensuring their sustainability for all New Zealanders.
The new limits will come into effect from April 1 and include a 36 tonne decrease in commercial catch limits for crayfish in the Bay of Plenty (CRA 2) and a 33 tonne decrease in Wellington/Hawkes Bay (CRA 4).
Other changes are a 35 tonne increase in commercial catch limits for crayfish in Gisborne (CRA 3), 22 tonne increase for Otago (CRA 7) and 14 tonne increase for Westland/Taranaki (CRA 9); an increase in the southern blue whiting fishery near Campbell Island (SWB 6I) has enabled a rise in the catch limit from 30,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes; and a decrease to the scallop commercial catch limit at the top of the South Island from 747 tonnes to 400 tonnes.
Mr Guy said the changes applied to the commercial sector and there was no change to any recreational or customary fishing limits.
"I have also approved a new management approach for CRA 2 that will closely monitor performance. If the numbers of crayfish don't improve then I will be looking to make further changes."
Detailed information on the minister's decisions, including copies of his decision letters and Final Advice Papers were available on the Ministry for Primary Industries website at: fish.govt.nz