Gurnard 1 TAC review 2021
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 23 June 2021 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and while doing so would set the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the first time.
When setting the initial TAC the Minister must set aside tonnages of fish to allow for the expected mortality associated with fishing. That means the Minister must firstly set the TAC, then make an annual allowance for Māori customary and recreational fishing interests, and an annual allowance to cover other fishing related mortality. The Minister applies what’s left as the TACC.
Submissions were due by 27 July 2021. A Ministerial decision was due in September and any changes would apply from 1 October 2021.
On 24 September the Minister, David Parker, announced his approval to reduce the TAC and TACC in Gurnard 1 to align with Option 3 below. Earlier in September Fisheries NZ had recommended the Minister apply Option 2. Details below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand has proposed 3 options for the future management of Gurnard 1 (GUR 1). All options reduce commercial catch levels due to concerns about the state of the gurnard stock. Abundance varies between the east and west coasts of the upper North Island so there are different issues affecting the sub-stocks GUR 1W & GUR 1E.
Table 1: Proposed Total Allowable Catches (TACs), Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACCs) and allowances for Gurnard 1, in tonnes.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and other national representative organisations to develop a response to the FNZ proposals.
There is collective concern about the impacts of trawling on the marine environment, the need for ecosystem based management and recognition that gurnard need to be managed at much higher levels if we want abundant gurnard numbers in the future.
Together we proposed a more conservative TAC, TACC and allowance for other mortality.
We look forward to the Minister announcing a precautionary decision in September.
Relevant information
2021
Minister’s decision
Ministers decision for multiple stocks, for 1 October. 24 Sep 2021
Minister’s decisions for multiple stocks. Changes to apply from 1 October 2021. Letter. 24 September 2021.
Fisheries New Zealand
Final advice to Minister 1 Oct stocks. FNZ. September 2021
Fisheries New Zealand final advice paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks, for 1 October 2021. September 2021.
Submission
TAC reviews 3 stocks. 27 July 2021
Submission in response to proposals for Snapper 8, Gurnard 1 and Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2. A combined species submission highlighting the need for ecosystem based management, the need for precautionary decisions by the Minister, and the need to reduce our impact on the marine environment. Joint submission by NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association & NZ Underwater. 27 July 2021.
Submissions. Snapper 8, Gurnard 1. Oct review. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on Snapper 8 and Gurnard 1 proposals for 1 October 2021. Multiple submitters. Submissions dated July 2021. Collated by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021. [15MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 1. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct. Submissions dated July 2021. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021. [18MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 2. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct 2021. Submissions dated July 2021. Part 2. Collation by Fisheries New Zealand. Sep 2021. [9MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 3. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 October. Submissions dated July 2021. Collated by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021.
Proposal
Proposal. Gurnard 1 TAC review. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to reduce the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) in Gurnard 1, around the top half of the North Island, east and west coasts. Submissions due by 27 July 2021.
Review, mixed species proposal letter. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand advise they are reviewing a range of fish stocks and TACs for the next fishing season. Submissions are due by 27 July 2021. FNZ letter. 23 June 2021.