Taranaki temporary closure 2024
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
In July 2024, Taranaki iwi and hapū at Western Taranaki sent a new application to Shane Jones, Minister for Oceans and Fisheries requesting a 2-year temporary closure at west Taranaki under Section 186A of the Fisheries Act.
The new application includes closing the area to the harvest of all shellfish, seaweeds (except beachcast), anemones, sting rays, conger eel species and crayfish.
Submissions in response to the application were due with Fisheries NZ by 5pm 30 September 2024.
On 9 December Fisheries NZ advised the Minister had approved the s186A temporary closure to the harvest of all shellfish except rock lobster. The temporary closure is effective from 16 December 2024 until December 2026.
Submission
In September 2024 the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked together with New Plymouth Sport Fishing & Underwater Club and Cape Egmont Boat Club. Together we submitted against the application for a new 2-year temporary closure. Without clear evidence and the best available information it was difficult for clubs to make an informed decision to support another closure.
We respect Taranaki iwi and community efforts, particularly when officials have chosen to ignore the impacts of ongoing depletion on the local community. And, encourage further conversations between communities, iwi and recreational interests around the future long term management of the coastline in west Taranaki.
In 2022, the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea submitted in partial support of a 2-year temporary closure at west Taranaki. The submission requested that the Minister excludes crayfish harvest out to one nautical mile from the coast instead of two nautical miles.
On 14 December 2022, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker approved the previous request to temporarily close the western Taranaki coastline to the harvest of all shellfish (except red rock lobster) seaweeds (except beachcast seaweed), anemones, conger eels. That closure applied from 16 December 2022 until December 2024.
Relevant information
2024
Decision
Gazette notice. West Taranaki. 2 Dec 2024
Gazette notice describing all the species affected by the 2-year temporary closure under s186A of the Fisheries Act. Effective from 16 December 2024 until December 2026. Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones. 2 December 2024.
Submission
Taranaki temporary closure. NZSFC. 30 Sep 2024.
Submission against the request to a 2-year temporary closure of the Western Taranaki coastline to the harvest of all shellfish, anemones, conger eels, crayfish and seaweeds (except beachcast) out to 2 nautical miles. NZSFC. 30 September 2024.
Proposal
Application for s186A temporary closure. Taranaki Iwi. 31 July 2024
New application from Taranaki iwi to the Minister requesting approval for a 2-year temporary closure of the Western Taranaki coastline to the harvest of all shellfish, seaweeds (except beachcast), anemones, conger eels and crayfish. 31 July 2024.
1996
Legislation
Section 186A Fisheries Act
Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. Temporary closure of fishing area or restriction on fishing methods.