Snapper flatfish elephantfish 7 review 2024
DECISION: INCREASE APPROVED
Introduction
On 27 June 2024 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) issued a discussion paper including three separate options for the future management of Snapper 7 (SNA 7), Flatfish 7 (FLA 7) and Elephantfish 7 (ELE 7).
FNZ proposed various changes to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), non-commercial allowances, both Māori customary and recreational fishing interests, and for fishing related mortality, and the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC).
These proposals were part of a package of 20 reviews seeking public feedback within 21 working days.
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and other organisations strongly objected to the unreasonable timeframe available to make submissions. With no response from officials, the joint parties collaborated to develop a comprehensive submission by the 29 July deadline.
Decision
Shane Jones, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, has approved a 270 tonne TACC increase for Snapper 7, a 1541 tonne decrease for Flatfish 7, and a 20 tonne increase for Elephantfish 7. All changes apply from 1 October 2024.
Proposal
Table 1: Current and proposed TACs, allowances and TACCs for Snapper 7, Flatfish 7 and Elephantfish 7, in tonnes.
Submission
Given the importance of these fish stocks to South Islanders, and the short submission period, the NZSFC and others collaborated to develop Preliminary Views of each proposal. This was to help people understand the FNZ proposals, and what they may mean for future access to these important fish species. Those Preliminary Views were open to feedback and change.
On 29 July a submission from NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting and NZ Underwater Associations was sent to FNZ.
The submission combined feedback on all 3 fish stocks because they are inter-related, caught in the trawl fisheries together with many other species not under review. Issues affecting one species often impacts on many others in trawl fisheries.
Relevant information
2024
Decision
Review decision letter. Minister. 29 Sep 2024
Minister’s decision letter for 20 fish stocks reviewed prior to the 1 October 2024 fishing year. A mix of catch increases and catch limit decreases. Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones. 29 September 2024.
Final Advice Fisheries NZ
Review Final Advice Paper. FNZ. 29 Sep 2024
Final Advice Paper and recommendations for the Minister on 20 fish stocks reviewed prior to the start of the 1 October 2024 fishing year. Fisheries New Zealand. 29 September 2024.
Submission
Snapper, Elephantfish, Flatfish, FMA 7. Recreational. 29 July 2024
Submission in response to Fisheries NZ’s proposals for the future management of snapper, elephantfish and flatfish around the top and west coast of the South Island. Joint recreational submission by NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting and NZ Underwater. 29 July 2024.
Preliminary views
Preliminary view. Snapper 7. July 2024. NZSFC
Preliminary view document for West Coast South Island snapper (SNA 7). July 2024. NZSFC
Preliminary View. Flatfish 7. July 2024. NZSFC
Preliminary view document for West Coast South Island flatfish (FLA 7). July 2024. NZSFC.
Preliminary View. Elephantfish 7. July 2024. NZSFC
Preliminary review document for West coast South Island elephantfish (ELE 7) for 1 October 2024. NZSFC.
FNZ proposal
FMA 7 (SNA, ELE, FLA) TAC review. FNZ. 27 June 2024
Discussion document seeking feedback on proposed changes to catch settings for Snapper 7, Elephantfish 7, and Flatfish 7. Fish stocks around the top and west coast of the South Island. Any changes will apply from 1 October. Fisheries New Zealand. 27 June 2024.
Additional information
Snapper 7 plenary. FNZ. May 2024
Snapper 7 plenary summarising historic catches, estimates of current stock size and projections for the snapper population in FMA 7, around the top and west coast of the South Island. Fisheries New Zealand. May 2024.
Flatfish plenary. FNZ. May 2024
Flatfish plenary summarising estimated historic catches of 8 species of flatfish managed together. This document includes fisheries data, stock status estimates and projections for all NZ flatfish stocks – FLA 1, 2, 3 and 7. Fisheries New Zealand. May 2024.
Elephantfish plenary. FNZ. May 2024
Plenary for all elephantfish stocks, most information on ELE 2, 3, 5 and 7. Summaries of historic catches, estimates of current stock status and population projections. Fisheries New Zealand. May 2024.
CRA 1 High Court decision 11 Nov 2022
High Court decision on the challenge by the Environmental Law Initiative of the Minister’s 2021 & 2022 decisions for the future management of Northland rock lobster, CRA 1. Decision issued 11 November 2022.