Scallop fishery stays closed

A temporary closure of two areas of the Coromandel scallop fishery to both commercial and recreational fishing has been extended indefinitely.

Most of the Coromandel scallop fishery and all of the Northland scallop fishery were closed in 2021 due to sustainability concerns. In December last year, new information led to a temporary emergency closure of the two remaining open areas, one around Little Barrier Island and the other in the Colville Channel.

Fisheries New Zealand management director Emma Taylor says those areas will remain closed.

Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Stuart Nash made the decision based on new survey information, which showed the two open areas in the fishery could no longer sustain harvesting.

“In light of this evidence, feedback received during public consultation supported a full and ongoing closure of the fishery.”

The Minister has set the commercial and recreational allowances at zero, reflecting that no fishing will take place while the closure is in effect. The closure will not affect the customary allowance of 10 tonnes.

“We note iwi in the region strongly support the recovery of the fishery and issuing of customary fishing permits has been limited if not completely ceased.”

More information, including the Minister’s decision letter, can be found here: Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – April 2023 round | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)

Decisions for the Northland rock lobster fishery (CRA 1), also included in the April sustainability review, will be announced in the coming weeks.