Feedback invited on proposed fishing catch limits
Fisheries New Zealand wants public feedback on proposals to change catch limits for 20 fish stocks around the country.
Fisheries management director Stuart Anderson says "We've reviewed 13 inshore fish and shellfish stocks and 7 deepwater stocks and want your feedback on a set of options to manage them. In addition, we're proposing that amateur fishing charter vessels be required to add 4 species to the list of fish stocks they report to Fisheries New Zealand: snapper, scallops, blue cod and tarakihi. This will give us a more detailed understanding of the catch and allow us to set more accurate catch limits in the future."
More than half of the proposals relate to stocks that are maintaining sustainable levels.
"There's scientific evidence that we need to take action to ensure the sustainability of tarakihi stocks across the eastern coastline of the country. We are putting 3 possible options on the table to protect and rebuild this stock which we would like the public to consider and give us their feedback on."
Feedback closes at 5pm on 26 July. New catch limits will then take effect from 1 October.