Record low scallop catch hits fishermen

Officials are ruling out closing Nelson's scallop fishery to commercial operators, despite recording the lowest harvest since scallop reseeding began in 1983.

Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company chief executive Russell Mincher said closure would unfairly penalise fishermen who relied on the scallop fishery for their income.

He was optimistic the once lucrative resource would bounce back given sufficient time.

Just 118 tonnes were caught this season by the 40 or so scallop quota holders who were allowed to target the seasonal delicacy.

The figure compares poorly even with last year's 206 tonnes, which was then a 15-year low.

The commercial catch limit for the Challenger scallop fishery - which stretches from Cape Farewell to the western head of Tory Channel - is 747 tonnes.

The company has decided to cut this to a 200-tonne limit this season after disappointing surveys.

The fishery has experienced several poor seasons, with not enough scallops reaching the size and weight demanded by the French export markets.

No one is sure what is causing the fishery's decline, but environmental factors are being blamed by most industry sources.

Mr Mincher was unable to comment on what the poor harvest meant economically for the region. A report commissioned three years ago estimated that a 720-tonne harvest pumped around $60 million into the regional economy.

"This would be the lowest harvest we've seen since enhancement started in 83," Mr Mincher said.

"It's lower than we would want and lower than we anticipated so that's unfortunate. We'd hope that we're looking at the fishery improving next year, but whether that will be is anyone's guess."

Both the commercial and recreational seasons officially closed yesterday but most commercial operators stopped targeting scallops before Christmas, Mr Mincher said.

About 50 tonnes were caught this season in the Marlborough Sounds, 46 tonnes in Tasman Bay and about 20 tonnes in Golden Bay.

The scallop season has traditionally been the economic mainstay of the Nelson inshore fishing fleet and the poor result will hit at a time when many operators face economic crisis.

Port Nelson Fishermen's Association president Darren Guard said embattled inshore operators were "licking their wounds and going about their business".

The traditionally slow winter period was likely to be "crunch time" for many local fishers when the effects of the poor season would hit home, he said.

"It's just wait and see ."

Scallop harvest

* Last year 206 tonnes caught, a 15-year low.

* This year only 118 tonnes of scallops were caught.

* This year's catch is smallest since scallop reseeding began in 1983.

* About 40 quota holders in Nelson are allowed to take scallops.

- NZPA