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The Government has approved a two-year ban on the taking of a range of invertebrate and seaweed species from rockpools on the east coast north of Auckland.
The temporary closure will take effect from March 12 and will be enforceable by Fishery Officers. Infringements for breaching temporary closure rules will also be considered as an additional measure.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says the move will stop the rockpools and surrounding coastline being stripped of marine life.
“While most people who visit the coast do the right thing and gather only what is appropriate and legal, there are others who are exploiting it and taking so much that they are collapsing the fragile ecosystems,” Jones said.
The Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust requested a two-year temporary fisheries closure over the Rodney, Hibiscus Coast and East Coast Bays coastline, and some Hauraki Gulf islands.
The closure provides statutory support for a Ngāti Manuhiri rāhui, but excludes some of the species and areas where existing closures and restrictions apply.
While the closure includes all seaweed species and invertebrate species (all shellfish and sea life such as sponges, starfish, sea anemone and sea cucumbers), it does not apply to spiny rock lobster and scallops where existing closures are already in place. Kina (sea urchin) is also excluded from the closure and can still be taken within the current recreational fishing limits.
Jones said he excluded kina as managing kina barrens was a priority.
The closure also does not apply to any aquaculture activities such as marine farming or the collection of spat (small juvenile shellfish) for those activities.
Further restrictions for harvesting shellfish around other parts of the country are being considered.
More information can be found at: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/proposed-temporary-fisheries-closure-in-the-hauraki-gulf
