Sustainable fisheries consultation now open

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on the annual review of catch limits and other management settings for the start of the April 2018 fishing year.As part of the April 2018 sustainability round, the following stocks are being reviewed:Rock lobster:

• CRA 2 (Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty)
• CRA 4 (Wellington/Hawke's Bay)
• CRA 7 (Otago)
• CRA 8 (Southern).

Sea cucumber:

• SCC 3 (east coast South Island)
• SCC 7B (upper west coast South Island and Nelson.
• Southern blue whiting: SBW 6B (Bounty Platform).

Of the 4 rock lobster stocks reviewed, decreases to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances are proposed for 2 stocks, and increases to the TAC and TACC are proposed for 2 stocks.Increases to the TAC and TACC are proposed for both sea cucumber stocks and the southern blue whiting stock.In addition, consultation is taking place for an in-season increase to the TAC for southern bluefin tuna (STN 1) to implement outcomes of the recent meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, of which New Zealand is a member.Consultation opens 12 January and closes on 9 February 2018.To access the consultation please click visit:http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-for-1-april-2018/