Crayfish 3 TAC review 2024
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 13 December 2023 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the management settings applying to the rock lobster fish stock on the east coast of the North Island, CRA 3.
CRA 3 extends from East Cape to Wairoa and is a popular fishery for commercial, Māori customary and recreational interests.
FNZ initially proposed three options, to reduce the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), by varying amounts.
FNZ also proposed two options for the recreational daily bag limit, the status quo, or a reduction in the daily limit of spiny rock lobster, from 6 to 3 per person.
In an unusual move, on 8 January 2024 FNZ advised they had amended the consultation documents to include a status quo option.
The submission deadline remained at 2 February 2024.
Proposal
FNZ propose four options for CRA 3, as outlined in Table 1. Option 1 retains current settings whereas Options 2 to 4 provide for varying levels of reductions to the TAC. Also included are separate options for the recreational daily bag limit.
Submission
On 2 February 2024 a submission was sent to FNZ from NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association (NZACA) and NZ Underwater Association (NZUA).
The submission recommended Shane Jones, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, acknowledges his statutory duty to make a precautionary decision given the uncertain, unreliable and inadequate information available regarding the condition of the CRA 3 fishery. In doing so, he needed to reduce the TACC by at least 40%.
The need for precautionary management was well traversed in the 2022 High Court decision regarding CRA 1. (see below)
The joint submission supported Option 4, a TAC reduction, and Option A, to retain the existing recreational daily bag limit.
We continue to advocate the Minister revokes the concession which permits commercial fishers to take male rock lobsters that are smaller than the recreational minimum legal size.
Decision
On 22 March Fisheries New Zealand released the Minister’s decision for CRA 3. Shane Jones has agreed to reduce the TACC by 20%, from 195 tonnes to 156 tonnes. He has also agreed with FNZ to reduce the recreational daily bag limit by 50%, from 6 to 3 per person.
Relevant information
2024
Decision
April review Minister's decision. 22 March 2024
Minister’s letter outlining the decisions for the future management of four deepwater fish stocks, crayfish (CRA 3, 7 & 8), Kaikōura pāua (PAU 3A), and southern bluefin tuna (STN 1). Minister Shane Jones. Most changes apply from 1 April 2024. Letter received 22 March.
Advice to Minister
April reviews final advice to Minister. FNZ. March 2024
Final advice paper to the Minister on April reviews with recommendations for the future management of four deepwater stocks, crayfish (Gisborne, Southland), Kaikōura paua and southern bluefin tuna. Fisheries New Zealand. March 2024.
Submissions
Crayfish 3 submission summary. NZSFC. Feb 2024
NZSFC one-page summary of the submission responding to the management review of the Crayfish 3 fishery, extending from East Cape to Mahia. February 2024.
East coast crayfish TAC review. Recreational. 2 Feb 2024
Submission supporting Fisheries NZ’s Option 4, to reduce the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC). The Minister must revoke the concession permitting the commercial capture of crayfish below the recreational minimum legal size. NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Underwater and NZ Angling & Casting Association. 2 February 2024.
Crayfish TAC review for 1 April 2024. Submissions. Feb 2024
Public submissions in response to the review of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 7 (Otago) and CRA 8 (Southland-Fiordland). Changes would apply from 1 April 2024. Released by FNZ 29 July 2024.
Public awareness
Article. The demise of East Coast Crayfish. LegaSea. 20 March 2024
A part of being a good Kiwi is sticking up for our neighbours when something’s not right. Now is the time to support our friends living around the North Island’s east coast, as their crayfish is under threat. LegaSea. 20 March 2024.
2023
Proposal
CRA 3 TAC review proposal (updated). FNZ. 8 Jan 2024
Updated proposal from Fisheries NZ reviewing the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and bag limits applying to crayfish caught from East Cape to Wairoa, North Island. Submissions due with FNZ by 2 February 2024.
CRA 3 TAC review proposal summary (updated). 8 Jan 2024
One page summary of proposals to reset the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and recreational daily bag limits applying to catch taken from East Cape to Wairoa, North Island. Fisheries NZ summary. 8 January 2024.
2022
High Court decision
CRA 1 High Court decision 11 Nov 2022
High Court decision on the challenge by the Environmental Law Initiative of the Minister’s 2021 & 2022 decisions for the future management of Northland rock lobster, CRA 1. Decision issued 11 November 2022.