Kahawai quota review

Catch limits and allocations in the kahawai fishery may have to be reconsidered after a High Court ruling.

In a reserved judgment, Justice Rhys Harrison said the Government "erred" when making decisions in 2004 and 2005 on allocation of kahawai. The total allowable commercial catch level for kahawai had been fixed "without having proper regard to the social, economic and cultural wellbeing of the people". He said Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton also failed to adequately consider advice from his ministry to review bag catch limits for recreational anglers, and failed to take account of parts of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act when fixing the allowable catch for the kahawai fishery in that area.

The judge directed Mr Anderton to reconsider his 2005 decisions.