Northland area closure proposals 2022

DECISION: PENDING

Introduction

On 20 September 2022 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing commercial fishing controls applying in the marine area, from Cape Brett, Bay of Islands, south to Mimiwhangata, on the northeast coast of the North Island.

FNZ proposed 2 options to ban commercial bottom trawling and Danish seining on the rocky reefs, or on the reefs and the surrounding soft sediment areas.

If agreed, the ban on trawling and Danish seining would be in place indefinitely. The ban on commercial fishing would not apply to non-commercial fishing interests, both Māori customary and recreational.

Proposal

The ban on bottom trawling and Danish seining in the designated area from the Bay of Islands down to Mimiwhangata is intended to avoid, remedy or mitigate any adverse effects of fishing on the marine environment, as required by the Fisheries Act 1996.

The two options proposed by FNZ originated from multiple party discussions over the past year as part of the Environment Court proceedings on the proposed Northland Regional Plan under the Resource Management Act (RMA). Those proceedings are ongoing and a decision from the Environment Court is due any time.

Submission

During September and October 2022 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea, the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, New Zealand Angling & Casting Association and New Zealand Underwater Association to develop a submission in response to the proposals.

The joint parties supported FNZ’s proposed Option 1, to prohibit bottom trawling and Danish seining from the reef and soft sediment areas on the northeast coast from the Bay of Islands down to Mimiwhangata.

We supported the closure under section 11 of the Fisheries Act, in preference to any controls in the marine space under the RMA.

Relevant information

2022

Submission

Proposal