Crayfish

Rock lobster in Aotearoa New Zealand

Rock lobster is an important species and fishery for all sectors and interests. Rock lobster is commonly referred to as crayfish by non-commercial fishing interests, and kōura by Māori interests.

In the past, rock lobster were abundant and played a significant role in coastal ecosystems. Stocks in many areas have been depleted. In 2016 scientists described crayfish in the Hauraki Gulf as being ‘functionally extinct’ due to their low numbers.

Large catches were taken out of some ports in the 1920s for canning and export to Europe. Widespread commercial rock lobster fishing has occurred since 1945.

Updated estimates of recreational harvest are available from the Fisheries New Zealand 2017-18 National Panel Survey. Few of the 7000 New Zealand residents on the panel caught rock lobster so the estimates are best in areas where most fishing occurs.

Management processes 2005 – 2024

Management review CRA 7 & 8, February 2024

TAC review CRA 3, February 2024

TAC review CRA 1, February 2023

Rock lobster 1, 7 & 8 TAC review 2022

TAC review CRA 1, 3, 4 & 5, Packhorse CRA, 2021

Review of the National Rock Lobster Management Group, 2020

Carry forward of crayfish ACE proposal, 2020

TAC review CRA 1, 3, 4, 7 & 8, February 2020

TAC review CRA 3, 4 & 8, February 2019

CRA 2 telson clipping & bag limit review, 2018-20

CRA 5 telson clipping & bag limit review, 2018-20

TAC review CRA 2, 4, 7 & 8, February 2018.

Crayfish aggregation limit extension proposal, 2016

Crayfish management reviews 2005-2012. (option4 site)