Northland & Coromandel Scallop TAC Review 2022
DECISION: APPROVED
Introduction
On 14 December 2021 Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) advised they were reviewing Total Allowable Catch (TAC) allowances and considering full closures for the scallop fisheries in Quota Management Areas 1 & CS (SCA 1 & CS). The Minister now must decide on whether or not to close the fisheries, and retaining or setting new TAC allowances for the two areas, including allowances for the annual harvest by Māori customary and recreational fishers, and controls on recreational dredging.
Submissions were due by 8 February 2022. A Ministerial decision was expected in late March and any changes would apply from 1 April 2022.
On 29 March the Minister, David Parker, announced his approval for a new option created in SCA 1, a full closure of the fishery under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. This includes reductions to TAC, TACC, recreational, and other mortality allowances, with the fishery only open to customary harvest.
The Minister announced his approval for an amended Option 2 in SCA CS, a partial closure of the fishery under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. This includes reductions to TAC, TACC, recreational and other mortality allowances, with the fishery open in two areas, around Little Barrier and Colville Channel.
As of 13 December 2022, the Minister has placed an emergency temporary closure on the remaining open areas around Little Barrier and Colville Channel, as 2022 survey results showed low scallop numbers. In March 2023 the Minister closed the entire Coromandel scallop fishery under section 11 of the Fisheries Act. Read more here.
All details are below.
Proposal
Fisheries New Zealand proposed to close SCA 1 & CS fisheries, leaving them open for customary harvest only. The closure proposals included reductions in TAC, TACC, recreational and other mortality allowances, as well as a ban in recreational dredging for both areas.
Table 1: Proposed changes to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances for SCA 1 (Northland) and SCACS (Coromandel), in tonnes. Source: Fisheries New Zealand.
Submission
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council worked with LegaSea and other national representative organisations including NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater Association to develop a submission in response to the FNZ proposals.
The submitters called for full closures of both SCA 1 & CS for a minimum of 3 years, and a reduction of the TAC to 0 tonnes while the fisheries are closed, with all scallop harvesting prohibited. Included in our package of reforms is a ban of all commercial and non-commercial scallop dredging for all scallop harvest in New Zealand waters. These measures, in addition to others, ensure the economic, social and cultural needs of the fishery are met while scallop populations have time to rebuild.
Relevant Information
2022
Emergency closure
Emergency closure. Coromandel fishery SCA CS. 13 Dec 2022.
Minister David Parker places an emergency closure on the two remaining scallop beds open to harvest in the Coromandel fishery.
Minister’s Decision
Minister's decision. Multiple stocks for April 1. March 29 2022.
Minister’s decisions for multiple stocks. Changes apply from April 1 2022. Letter. March 29 2022.
Fisheries New Zealand
Final advice to Minister 1 April stocks. FNZ. March 2022.
Fisheries New Zealand final advice paper and recommendations to the Minister on multiple stocks for 1 April 2022. Includes Minister’s decisions. March 2022.
Submissions
Submission. Scallops Northland (SCA 1) Coromandel (SCACS). Joint recreational. 8 Feb 2022
Joint recreational submission in response to the proposed future management of Northland (SCA 1) and Coromandel (SCACS) scallop fisheries. Closing both areas to all harvesting for 3 years will help to restore depleted scallop numbers. Submission by NZ Sport Fishing Council-LegaSea, NZ Angling & Casting Association and NZ Underwater. 8 February 2022.
Submissions to April 2022 SCA 1 & CS review, part 4. Feb 2022.
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on Scallop 1 & CS review and closure assessment for 1 Apr. Submissions dated Feb 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [20MB]
Submissions to April 2022 SCA 1 & CS review, part 3. Feb 2022.
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on Scallop 1 & CS review and closure assessment for 1 Apr. Submissions dated Feb 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [21MB]
Submissions to April 2022 SCA 1 & CS review, part 2. Feb 2022.
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on Scallop 1 & CS review and closure assessment for 1 Apr. Submissions dated Feb 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [21MB]
Submissions to April 2022 review. Large organisations, part 2
Collation of submissions from large organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Apr. Submissions dated February 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [27MB]
Submissions to April 2022 review. Large Organisations, part 1
Collation of submissions from organisations and representative groups on multiple stocks review for 1 Apr. Submissions dated Feb 2022. Collation by Fisheries NZ. Mar 2022. [27MB]
2021
Proposal
Proposal. Scallop 1 & CS review & closure. FNZ. December 2021
Fisheries New Zealand proposal to decrease the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and close the fisheries Scallop 1 & CS. These areas span Northland down the East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Submissions due by 8 February 2022.