Snapper 8 TAC review 2021
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 23 June 2021 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances in Snapper 8.
The TAC, TACC and allowances were last reviewed in 2005.
Submissions were due by 27 July 2021. A Ministerial decision was due in September and any changes would apply from 1 October 2021.
On 24 September the Minister, David Parker, announced his approval for Option 1, a 300 tonne increase to the TACC, and increases to the non-commercial allowances and allowance for fishing related mortality. Earlier in September Fisheries New Zealand had recommended the Minister apply Option 2. Details below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand has proposed a range of increases to the commercial catch limit (TACC) up to double the existing take. That is increase the 1300 tonne TACC by 25, 50, 75 or 100%. A 100% increase would mean the TACC increases from 1300 tonnes to 2600 tonnes. Changes are also proposed for the non-commercial allowances and other mortality.
Table 1: Proposed Total Allowable Catches (TACs), Total Allowable Commercial Catches (TACCs), and allowances for Snapper 8, in tonnes.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea, other national representative organisations and local fishing clubs to develop a response. An alternative, Option Zero, was developed and published prior to the submission deadline.
Option Zero gained wide support from the public who expressed concerns about the impacts of more trawling, the need for the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, David Parker, to make a conservative decision and review the Snapper 8 fishery in 3 years time.
We await the Minister’s decision with interest.
Relevant information
2021
Updates
On 28 September 2021 Te Ohu Kai Moana filed papers with the High Court seeking a judicial review of the Minister’s Snapper 8 decision. No further details are available. Until the Court process is concluded the existing catch settings in Snapper 8 will be retained.
Minister’s decision
Ministers decision for multiple stocks, for 1 October. 24 Sep 2021
Minister’s decisions for multiple stocks. Changes to apply from 1 October 2021. Letter. 24 September 2021.
Fisheries NZ
Final advice to Minister 1 Oct stocks. FNZ. September 2021
Fisheries New Zealand final advice paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks, for 1 October 2021. September 2021.
Submissions
TAC reviews 3 stocks. 27 July 2021
Submission in response to proposals for Snapper 8, Gurnard 1 and Hāpuku-Bass 1 & 2. A combined species submission highlighting the need for ecosystem based management, the need for precautionary decisions by the Minister, and the need to reduce our impact on the marine environment. Joint submission by NZSFC, LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association & NZ Underwater. 27 July 2021.
Snapper 8 TAC review. Mana Aquatic Divers. 26 July 2021
Mana Aqautic Divers submit in support of banning trawling within 12 nm of the coastline. No TACC increase until the stock is at 80% of its natural, unfished size. 26 July 2021.
Snapper 8 review. CORANZ. 27 July 2021
Submission in support of banning trawling on the west coast of the North Island. No increase in commercial catches of snapper. Council of Outdoor Recreation Assoc of NZ. 27 July 2021
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 1. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct. Submissions dated July 2021. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021. [18MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 2. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 Oct 2021. Submissions dated July 2021. Part 2. Collation by Fisheries New Zealand. Sep 2021. [9MB]
Submissions to October 2021 review, part 3. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on multiple stocks review for 1 October. Submissions dated July 2021. Collated by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021.
Submissions. Snapper 8, Gurnard 1. Oct review. Sep 2021
Collation of submissions on Snapper 8 and Gurnard 1 proposals for 1 October 2021. Multiple submitters. Submissions dated July 2021. Collated by Fisheries NZ. Sep 2021. [15MB]
Proposal
Proposal. Snapper 8 TAC review. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to increase the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), TACC and allowances in Snapper 8, on the west coast of the North Island. Submissions due by 27 July 2021.
Review, mixed species proposal letter. FNZ. 23 June 2021
Fisheries New Zealand advise they are reviewing a range of fish stocks and TACs for the next fishing season. Submissions are due by 27 July 2021. FNZ letter. 23 June 2021.
Research
Plenary. Snapper. FNZ. May 2021
Fisheries New Zealand Plenary of the latest data on snapper stocks in New Zealand waters. May 2021.
2005
TAC Review
Snapper 8 TAC Review 2005
Review of Snapper 8 Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances in 2005. Link to option4 website.