Tuna quota opposed by Nelson fisherman

Moves to impose a quota on commercial catches of albacore tuna will restrict new players from entering the industry and heap new costs on existing fishers, representatives warn.

Port Nelson Fishermen's Association president Darren Guard said albacore was the "last frontier" because it was one of the few commercially fished species without quota restrictions.

But the Ministry of Fisheries wants to bring the species into the quota management system by October next year to ensure its long-term management.

New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen president Doug Saunders-Loder said the federation was in consultation with the Government to try to safeguard the fishery's open access status.