CRA 2 regulation review 2018-20

DECISION: APPROVED

Introduction

On 7 November 2018 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were consulting on changes to regulatory controls applying to the recreational catch of crayfish in CRA 2.

CRA 2 extends from Waipu, north of Auckland, through the Hauraki Gulf and down to East Cape.

The FNZ proposals included a reduction in the recreational daily bag limit from 6 to 3 per person, per day. Also, the introduction of telson clipping for any red rock lobster taken and kept by recreational fishers in CRA 2.

Submissions in response to the proposals were due with FNZ by 19 December 2018.

Decision

In August 2019 the Minister at the time, Stuart Nash, agreed with the recommendation from the National Rock Lobster Management Group to reduce the recreational daily bag limit for red rock lobster, from 6 to 3, and have a combined daily bag limit of 6 packhorse crayfish or a maximum of 3 red rock lobsters and 3 packhorse.

Stuart Nash, the Minister of Fisheries, did not announce his decision for CRA 2 until 26 May 2020. The Minister decided that:
1. The red rock lobster recreational daily bag limit would reduce from 6 to 3;

2. The combined recreational daily bag limit would be a maximum of 3 red rock lobster and 3 packhorse, or up to 6 packhorse with no red rock lobsters.

3. Telson clipping would apply to recreational catch of red rock lobster.

The above changes would apply from 1 July 2020.

Relevant information

2019-20

Minister’s decision

Advice to Minister

2018

Submissions

Proposals