Pāua 5 Draft Fisheries Plan
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 13 September 2022 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were seeking feedback on a draft Fisheries Plan for the 3 southern pāua fisheries: 5A (Fiordland), 5B (Stewart Island) and 5D (Southland/Otago).
The draft plan had been developed by the Pāua 5 Industry Association body called PauaMAC5. The body represents all Pāua 5 quota owners, ACE holders, and commercial fishers.
The draft Fisheries Plan was sent to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries David Parker in November 2021. PauaMAC5 is seeking formal approval for the Fisheries Plan under section 11A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
On 31 May 2023, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Rachel Brooking approved the fisheries plan.
Proposal
The draft Fisheries Plan for Pāua 5A, 5B & 5D sets out objectives, strategies and actions that the pāua industry will take to manage these stocks. Commercial interests in these stocks have voluntarily undertaken many of the actions described. The draft Plan includes proposals to formalise the shelving of ACE, Annual Catch Entitlement, and the application of harvest control rules. The rules are a pre-determined set of actions to be taken when stock size changes, to adjust the amount of pāua that can be harvested in a season.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea, the New Zealand Angling & Casting Association and the New Zealand Underwater Association to develop a joint submission in response to the draft Fisheries Plan for Paua 5.
The submission supported the objectives of the draft Fisheries Plan and noted that a formal Fisheries Plan under section 11A was not required to achieve their stated goals.
The submission did not support the application of harvest control rules or the practice of ACE shelving. The submission recommended the Minister did not approve the draft Fisheries Plan as presented in September 2022.
Relevant information
2023
Decision
Minister's decision for southern pāua fisheries plan. 31 May 2023.
Minister’s decision letter approving the Fisheries Plan for the southern pāua fisheries PAU 5A, 5B & 5D. 31 May 2023.
2022
Submission
Submission. Paua 5 Draft Fisheries Plan. NZSFC. 11 Oct 2022
Submission in response to the draft Fisheries Plan for the southern paua fisheries PAU 5A, 5B & 5D. The submitters recommend the Minister does not approve the Plan nor the application of harvest control rules or ACE shelving. Joint recreational submitters NZSFC-LegaSea, NZACA & NZ Underwater. 11 October 2022.
Proposal
Paua 5 notice. Advice of draft Fisheries Plan consultation. FNZ. 13 Sep 2022
Fisheries New Zealand advice that the Minister is consulting on a draft Fisheries Plan for the southern paua fisheries 5A, 5B & 5D. 13 September 2022.
Draft Fisheries Plan Southern Paua 5A, 5B & 5D. PauaMAC5. Sep 2022
Paua 5 Industry Association (PauaMAC5) draft Fisheries Plan for the southern fisheries Paua 5A (Fiordland), 5B (Stewart Island) & 5D (Southland/Otago). Draft Plan sent to the Minister in November 2021. Fisheries New Zealand issued draft Plan in September 2022.
Paua 5 Fisheries Plan application. PauaMAC5. 25 Nov 2021
Letter to the Minister David Parker asking for formal approval of the draft Fisheries Plan for the southern paua fisheries 5A, 5B & 5D. Approval sought under section 11A of the Fisheries Act. Application by commercial fishers’ group PauaMAC5. 25 November 2021.