According to the press release announcing rock lobster catch limits Heatley said that the catch limits in the Wellington/Hawkes Bay spiny rock lobster fishery will increase, while those in Otago and Southern fisheries will decrease. No changes are proposed in the Canterbury/Marlborough spiny rock lobster fishery. Minister said that the best scientific and management information available as well as submissions from the public, customary, recreational and commercial fishers.
Heatley also said that the Government, wants to facilitate a responsive management regime that helps ensure sustainability and provides for appropriate levels of use of the highly valuable rock lobster fishery. He also said that commercial fishers have taken a responsible approach to managing the fishery over several years by significantly reducing their catch to halt declining lobster numbers and help ensure the ongoing economic viability of the fishery.
He told that conservative approach is necessary because of large fluctuations in lobster numbers. The catch limit reduction is likely to quickly assist the stock to a stable situation that provides greater and consistent benefits for all fishery participants. The reduction in catch will come off the commercial catch limit only and non-commercial allowances will be unaffected.
The reduction in catch will come off the commercial catch limit only and non-commercial allowances will be unaffected. Heatley informed that the CRA 8 commercial industry group supports the cut and is committed to ensuring high lobster numbers continue in this fishery.
