Media release from the Ministry of Fisheries for immediate use

30 September 2009

New fishing rules for Akaroa Harbour from tomorrow

The Ministry of Fisheries is reminding recreational fishers that new rules come into effect tomorrow (01 October 2009) within the Akaroa Taiapure (Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula).

The rules include new daily limits for fish and rock lobster (crayfish), a prohibition on taking or possessing any seahorse from the Taiapure or the taking or possessing of shellfish from the Onawe Peninsula area of the Akaroa Taiapure.

The rules have been steered by the Akaroa Taiapure Management Committee (appointed by the Minister of Fisheries) and have been put in place to enhance fisheries resources in the Taiapure area and ensure the long-term future of the area’s fish and shellfish stocks.

Minister of Fisheries, District Compliance Manager, Peter Hyde, says the new rules are a great example of the community and Government working together to manage an important local resource.

“It is great to see the community working together to manage the Akaroa Harbour’s fisheries into the future,” he said.

“The local community working together with Government to get the best use of the Akaroa Taiapure’s fisheries while respecting environmental limits is exactly what Fisheries 2030, the Government’s 20 year goal and action plan for the fisheries sector, is all about.”

Full details of the recreational fishing regulations for the south-east fishery management area are available at this link: http://www.fish.govt.nz/en-nz/Recreational/Fishery+Management+Areas/South+East/default.htm?WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished

Background
Section 185 of the Fisheries Act 1996 (the Act) allows a taiāpure-local fishery management committee to recommend to the Minister of Fisheries the making of certain regulations for the conservation and management of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed in the taiāpure-local fishery.

The Akaroa Taiāpure Committee was appointed in December 2006 and includes tangata whenua and representatives from local commercial and recreational fishing groups, and charter and tourist operators.

The Akaroa Taiāpure Management Committee is concerned about key fisheries stocks within the Akaroa Harbour Taiāpure  that they consider are in a depleted state. 

To reduce fishing pressure and encourage the recovery of these key stocks, the Committee has recommended the recreational fishing regulations for the Taiāpure.
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