Blue cod 5 TAC review 2020
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 25 May 2020 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances in Blue cod 5.
The Blue cod 5 TAC and TACC was last reviewed and the TACC reduced in 2012.
Submissions in response to the 2020 proposals were due by 1 July. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted a response on 1 July 2020.
On 11 September 2020 the Minister announced his approval to reduce the TAC from 1452 t to 925 t, reduce the TACC from 1239 t to 800 t, increase the allowance set aside for Māori customary interests from 2 to 20 t, reduce the recreational allowance from 191 t to 85 t and retain the allowance for fishing related mortality.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing to reduce the TAC, the TACC and recreational allowance, and increase the allowance set aside for Māori customary interests. Any changes would apply from 1 October 2020.
Table 1: Proposed Total Allowable Catches (TACs), Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACCs) and allowances for Blue cod 5, in tonnes (t).
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted a response to the FNZ proposals on 1 July 2020. The Council recommended the Minister apply a modified Option 3, so that there is an increase in the allowance for other mortality to 89 tonnes, which equals 10% of the amended, new TAC of 894 tonnes.
The Council also submitted the Minister instructs Fisheries New Zealand to apply the environmental principles of the Fisheries Act, and remove bottom contact fishing methods such as trawling from habitats of significance to blue cod.
Relevant information
2020
Decision
Fisheries Minister's decision for 1 October. 11 Sep 2020
Stuart Nash’s decision for the future management of 29 fishstocks and the deemed value rates for 12 stocks. Decisions apply from 1 October 2020. Minister of Fisheries. 11 September 2020.
Advice to Minister on decisions for 1 Oct fish stocks. FNZ. 11 Sept 2020
Advice paper to the Minister of Fisheries including recommendations for the future management of 29 fish stocks. Fisheries New Zealand. Dated July 2020. Released on 11 September 2020.
Submissions
Submission. NZSFC. 1 July 2020
Submission supports the Minister reducing the TAC and TACC for Blue cod 5, Southland and Fiordland. The Minister must also remove damaging bottom contact fishing methods such as trawling from sensitive habitats. The Minister also needs to review the National Blue Cod Strategy placing unwarranted new restrictions on people returning from fishing outside the 12 nm limit. Submission by the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council. 1 July 2020.
Submissions. Review of 1 October 2020 fish stocks. Mixed submitters. Part 1
Fisheries New Zealand compilation of submissions in response to proposals for 1 October 2020 fish stocks. Part 1. Submissions 1 July. Released 11 Sep 2020.
Submissions. Review of 1 October 2020 fish stocks. Mixed submitters. Part 2
Fisheries New Zealand compilation of submissions in response to proposals for 1 Oct 2020 fish stocks. Submissions 1 July. Released 11 Sep 2020.
Submissions. Review of 1 Oct 2020 fish stocks. Mixed submitters. Part 3
Fisheries New Zealand compilation of submissions in response to proposals for 1 Oct 2020 fish stocks. Submissions 1 July. Released 11 Sep 2020.
Proposal
Proposal. FNZ. May 2020
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to review the TAC, TACC and allowances in Blue Cod 5. FNZ. 25 May 2020.
Review, mixed species proposal letter. FNZ. 25 May 2020
Fisheries New Zealand advise they are reviewing a range of fish stocks and TACs for the next fishing season. Submissions due 1 July. FNZ letter. 25 May 2020.
Research
2020
Plenary. Blue cod. FNZ. May 2020
Fisheries New Zealand summary of data and status of blue cod stocks around New Zealand. Plenary document issued in May 2020.
2018
Blue cod recreational harvest estimates. FNZ. 2018
Estimates of recreational harvest of blue cod in Area 7, South Island. National Panel Survey 2017-18. Fisheries New Zealand. Nov 2019