Hauraki Gulf temporary closures 2024
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 23 April Fisheries New Zealand advised they were consulting on a request made by Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā for temporary closures at three areas within the Hauraki Gulf. The request comes under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
The temporary closure applies to Waiheke, Umupuia Beach, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu and prohibits the harvest of select shellfish species, including rock lobster at Waiheke Island.
Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā have requested for a 6-year temporary closure at these areas however, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996, temporary closures are limited at up to 2 years.
In previous years the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council has submitted in support of temporary closures at Waihkeke, Umupuia Beach, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu. The Council was actively involved in public awareness and engagement in Ngāti Pāoa’s rāhui around Waiheke Island in 2021.
Submissions were due by 7 June 2024.
Decision
On 6 August FNZ advised the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, had approved the requests for 2-year temporary closures around Waiheke Island, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu, and Umupuia Beach. The closures take effect on 7 August and will be in place for two years.
Proposal
Below are the species affected by the proposed closures.
Submission
On 6 June 2024 NZSFC, LegaSea, and other organisations submitted in support of Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, and Ngāti Tamaterā’s request for a 2-year temporary closure at Waiheke, Umupuia Beach, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu.
The collective concern is the degradation of the inshore environment and the impacts of over harvesting on scallops, mussels, paua, crayfish, cockles and oysters. Our submission acknowledged that the s186A temporary closures are currently the best available tool available to help combat the loss of shellfish populations around the Hauraki Gulf.
Relevant Infomation
2024
Decision
Gazette notice. Waiheke Island. 5 August 2024
Fisheries Notice No. MPI 1855 confirming the 2-year temporary closure of waters around Waiheke Island. No harvesting of mussels, crayfish and pāua is permitted in the closure area. Effective 7 August 2024. Minister Shane Jones 5 August 2024.
s186A Waiheke closure map. FNZ. Aug 2024
Map of area around Waiheke Island closed to the harvest of mussels, pāua and crayfish. Temporary closure applies for 2 years from 7 August 2024. Fisheries New Zealand. August 2024.
Gazette notice. Umupuia Beach. 5 August 2024
Gazette notice No. MPI 1854 confirming the 2-year temporary closure of Umupuia Beach, Manukau, to the harvest of cockles. Effective 7 August 2024. Minister Shane Jones 5 August 2024.
s186A Umupuia Beach closure map. FNZ. August 2024
Map of Umupuia Beach area where the 2-year temporary closure applies to the harvest of cockles. Closure effective from 7 August 2024. Fisheries New Zealand. 5 August 2024.
Gazette notice. Te Mātā and Waipatukahu. 5 Aug 2024
Gazette notice confirming a section 186A 2-year temporary closure to the harvest of pipi, cockles, mussels and oysters from the Te Mātā and Waipatukahu coastline, Firth of Thames. Effective 7 August 2024. Minister Shane Jones. 5 August 2024.
s186A Te Mātā and Waipatukahu temporary closure map. FNZ. Aug 2024
Map of area around Te Mātā and Waipatukahu closed to the harvest of cockles, mussels, oysters and pipi. Closure applies for 2 years, from 7 August 2024. Fisheries New Zealand. 5 August 2024.
Submission
Hauraki Gulf s186A. Recreational. 6 June 2024.
Submission supporting the 2-year temporary closure at Waiheke, Umupuia Beach, Te Mātā and Waipatukahu. NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Underwater Association, NZ Angling and Casting. 6 June 2024.
Proposal
Hauraki Gulf s186A. Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaterā. November 2023.
Request sent to Fisheries NZ for a 2-year temporary closure at Waiheke, Umupuia Beach, Te Māta and Waipatukahu on behalf of Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaterā. November 2023
Previous submissions
Umupuia temporary closure. NZSFC. 2008-2022.
Submissions in support of 2-year s186A temporary closures at Umupuia Beach applying to the harvest of cockles. NZSFC. 2008-2022.
Waiheke temporary closure. NZSFC. 2021.
Submission in support of Ngāti Pāoa and the 2-year s186A temporary closure around Waiheke Island to all harvesting of scallops, mussels, crayfish and pāua. NZSFC. 26 February 2021.
Te Māta and Waipatukahu temporary closure. NZSFC. 2019-2022.
Submissions in support of the 2-year s186A temporary closures at Te Māta and Waipatukahua applying to the harvest of mussels, pipi, cockles and oysters. NZSFC. 2019-2022.
2022
Resources
FAQ. Temporary customary closures. Fisheries NZ. July 2022
Questions and answers about temporary closures, method restrictions and other Māori customary management tools. Fisheries New Zealand. July 2022.