Blue cod 7 TAC review 2022
DECISION: REDUCTION
Introduction
On 14 June 2022 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the management of Blue cod 7 (BCO 7) due to sustainability concerns. FNZ propose two different options to reduce the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC).
The Minister for Oceans and Fisheries David Parker was due to make a decision in September prior to the new commercial fishing year starting on 1 October 2022. The decision will apply annually until the stock is reviewed again.
On 27 September the Minister announced his decision to reduce the TACC by 17%, as recommended by FNZ in their Option 2. The NZSFC and other parties had advocated for a 23% reduction in the TACC.
Proposal
FNZ asked for feedback on their proposals to reduce the TAC and TACC in Blue cod 7 (BCO 7). They also requested feedback on any other measures such as extending the closed season or voluntary measures, that may help the stock to recover to a more abundant level.
Table 1: Proposed Total Allowable Catches (TACs), Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACCs) and allowances for Blue cod 7, in tonnes (t).
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea, the New Zealand Underwater Association and New Zealand Angling & Casting Association to develop a submission in response to the BCO 7 proposals. The submission was sent to FNZ on 22 July 2022.
The joint parties recommended the Minister remove Blue cod 7 from the consultation process on the basis that there was information missing, and that a review ought to occur in 2023 when more information would be available to inform decision making.
However, if the Minister chose to proceed with this year’s review then a new TAC and catch settings were recommended.
Relevant information
2022
Decision
Minister's decision letter for multiple stocks. 27 Sep 2022
Minister’s decision letter for multiple stocks and deemed value rates for selected stocks. Blue cod 7 details on page 10. Unless otherwise stated, all changes to apply from 1 October 2022. David Parker. 27 September 2022.
Final advice
Final advice to Minister 1 October stocks. FNZ. Sep 2022
Fisheries New Zealand Final Advice Paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks. Blue cod 7 details on page 136. Unless stated otherwise, changes to apply from 1 October 2022. FNZ. September 2022.
Submission
Blue cod 7 TAC review. Recreational. 22 July 2022
Submission recommending the Minister withdraw the Blue cod 7 review due to missing information, and restart the process in 2023. NZSFC-LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting, NZ Underwater. 22 July 2022.
TAC review submissions Oct 2022. Part 1
Collation of submissions from organisations and individuals on the TAC review for selected stocks and deemed value review. Submissions dated July 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. September 2022. PART 1. [11MB]
TAC review submissions Oct 2022. Part 2
Collation of submissions from organisations and individuals on the TAC review for selected stocks and deemed value review. Submissions dated July 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. September 2022. PART 2. [14MB]
Proposal
Proposal. Blue cod 7 TAC review. FNZ. 14 June 2022
Proposals for the future management of Blue cod 7 (BCO 7). Fisheries New Zealand propose to reduce the TAC and TACC in Blue cod 7. FNZ. 14 June 2022.
Advice letter. TAC reviews. FNZ. 14 June 2022
Fisheries New Zealand letter advising the review of catch limits, allowances and deemed value rates for 20 different fish stocks. FNZ. 14 June 2022.
Research
Plenary. Blue cod. FNZ. May 2022
Fisheries New Zealand plenary summarising the available data, historic catches and projections for New Zealand blue cod stocks. May 2022.