Kaipara Harbour closed for recreational scallop fishing

MPI has closed Kaipara Harbour for recreational scallop fishing due to dwindling stock level. Photo / Supplied

Kaipara Harbour has been closed for recreational scallop fishing from this week.

Ministry of Primary Industries director of fisheries management, Stuart Anderson, said the closure has been put in place since Tuesday this week to help rebuild the scallop fishery for future generations.

Available scientific information, he said, showed scallop numbers in the harbour were at their lowest on record.

"Scallop abundance varies from year to year, however there appears to have been an overall decline in scallop abundance and distribution in the Kaipara Harbour over the last 60 years.

"Commercial scallop fishing in the harbour has been closed since 1986, and this new closure is a further step to help the scallop fishery to rebuild.

"We understand the importance of this area to the community, and know that scallops have been traditionally important to recreational fishers."

Anderson said the decision to close the harbour was made after extensive consultation with stakeholders, public and tangata whenua as part of Fisheries New Zealand's twice-yearly review of catch limits.

"When our fish stocks are declining, we decrease catch limits, and in some cases if it's necessary we will close the fishery, like the Kaipara Harbour. As the fish stocks recover we can increase the amount people catch.

"While the closure is currently open ended, we will continue to review the closure as results from further research becomes available.

"A broader focus to address issues related to the habitat in the Kaipara Harbour will also be required to restore the fishery," Anderson said.