Crayfish TAC review 2021
DECISION: MIXED
Introduction
On 15 December 2020 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC), and allowances in selected rock lobster (crayfish) stocks. They were also reviewing the TACC and proposing new limits for the TAC and allowances.
The rock lobster stocks under review are CRA 1 (Northland), 3 (Gisborne), 4 (Hawke’s Bay-Wellington) & 5 (Canterbury-Marlborough), and Packhorse crayfish nationally.
Submissions in response to the 2020 proposals were due by 5 February 2021. The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council submitted in response in conjunction with the New Zealand Underwater Association and LegaSea.
The Minister’s decision was released by FNZ on 26 March 2021. It was a mixed decision with no changes for CRA 1 & 5, catch limit reductions in CRA 3 & 4, and an increase to the commercial catch limit for Packhorse crayfish. Changes will apply from 1 April 2021. Details in the table below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing catch limit reductions in selected rock lobster fish stocks, and a TAC and TACC increase in Packhorse crayfish nationwide.
Table 1: Proposed management options (in tonnes) for CRA 1, 3, 4 & 5, and Packhorse crayfish nationally, from 1 April 2021. Fisheries New Zealand.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and the New Zealand Underwater Association to submit a joint response to the FNZ proposals. The submission was sent to FNZ on 5 February 2021.
The joint submission also reiterated the need for David Parker, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, to revoke the concessions in CRA 3, 7 & 8 that permit commercial fishers to take male rock lobster with a tail width smaller than the minimum recreational size limit of 54mm.
Relevant information
2021
Decision
Minister's decision for multiple stocks for 1 April. 26 March 2021
Minister’s decision for multiple crayfish stocks, Packhorse crayfish, giant spider crab for 1 April. David Parker. 26 March 2021.
Advice to Minister
Final advice to Minister 1 April stocks. FNZ. Feb 2021
Fisheries New Zealand’s Final Advice Paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks for 1 April 2021. FNZ. February 2021.
Final advice to Minister on crayfish stocks for 1 April. NRLMG. Feb 2021
National Rock Lobster Management Group’s final advice paper to the Minister on CRA 1, 3, 4 & 5, and Packhorse crayfish for 1 April 2021. NRLMG. February 2021.
Submissions
CRA stocks and packhorse cray. Joint recreational. 5 Feb 2021
Submission by joint recreational interests on the review of management settings for crayfish stocks around the North and South Islands. 5 February 2021.
Proposal
Proposal. CRA and Packhorse CRA. FNZ. 15 Dec 2020
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to reset the catch limits in several areas around the North and South Islands, CRA 1, 3, 4 & 5, and proposals to set initial catch limits in Packhorse CRA 1, around all of NZ. FNZ. 15 December 2020.
Advice letter. Crayfish management review. FNZ. 15 Dec 2020
Fisheries New Zealand letter advising the review of management settings for several rock lobster areas, Crayfish 1, 3, 4 & 5, and new catch limits for packhorse crayfish. 15 December 2020.