Hoki quota faces further cut after poor catches

The national hoki quota could be cut again this year because of concerns about the fishery, which is worth about $150 million a year.

Less than four months ago, Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson reduced the total allowable commercial catch 10 per cent to 180,000 tonnes at the request of the industry.

Ministry spokesman Jim Cornelius said a working party was due to begin compiling a stock assessment report based on data gathered by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research.

The report, which would influence whether more cuts were needed, should be finished before the new fishing year began in October, he said.

Nelson fishing companies own about half the national quota, with Sealord holding about 30 per cent and Amaltal, part-owned by Talley's Fisheries, about 20 per cent.

Hoki Fishery Management Company chief executive Richard Cade said poor catches and quota reductions were already costing the industry.

"The impact on places like Amaltal and Sealord is certainly going to be felt."

Mr Cade said catch results from the last fishing year were still being finalised, but it was unlikely that the full quota had been achieved.

He said the quota had been cut 20 per cent two years ago after seven years of low juvenile stocks.

- NZPA