Articles tagged with Fisheries
Minister Jones Considers New Rules to Protect Rockpools and Marine Life Sustainability
6 days ago | 77 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is considering new restrictions and public education measures to address concerns about marine life depletion in rockpools around Whangaparāoa Peninsula and other areas. Fishery Officers are actively patrolling beaches to enforce current rules, with recent inspections revealing significant non-compliance, prompting a commitment to hold offenders accountable. Alongside potential rule changes, community engagement and education are emphasized to support the protection and sustainability of marine ecosystems for future generations.
Tags: Shane Jones Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Fishery Officers Whangaparāoa Peninsula Clevedon Auckland marine life rockpools sustainabilityUrgent Action Needed to Protect Marine Life in Whangaparāoa Rockpools
2 weeks ago | 466 viewsThe Government, led by Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft, is urgently seeking advice on addressing the unsustainable removal of marine life from rockpools on Whangaparāoa Peninsula and surrounding areas. Following a request from the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust for a temporary fisheries closure, officials are considering measures such as species-specific collection prohibitions and educational campaigns to protect these ecosystems. Collaboration with local communities and stakeholders aims to find balanced solutions that support ecosystem recovery while avoiding negative impacts on legitimate activities like oyster farming.
Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust Fisheries New Zealand Whangaparāoa Peninsula Army Bay Rodney Hibiscus Coast Hauraki Gulf East Coast BaysFisheries Reform: New Deemed Value Rules to Reflect Actual Fish Market Value
2 weeks ago | 299 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced changes to the deemed value system for fish caught outside commercial quotas, allowing fees to better reflect the actual market value based on how fish are landed, such as fresh versus frozen. The amendment aims to address financial disadvantages faced by fishers using deepwater freezer vessels who currently pay deemed values based on higher fresh fish prices, by enabling alternative rates for inshore stocks caught as bycatch. Additionally, the proposal to allow commercial fishers to land and sell marlin bycatch has been rejected, with the Fisheries Act Amendment Bill set for introduction in early 2026 and public consultation to follow.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act Amendment Bill commercial fishers deemed value quota management system inshore stocks deepwater freezer vessels marlin bycatch fisheries reforms Oceans and Fisheries MinisterSummer Fishery Officer Patrols to Combat Illegal Pāua Poaching and Trade in NZ
1 month ago | 301 viewsFishery Officer patrols will increase over summer to combat the growing problem of illegal pāua poaching and black-market trade, particularly in Wellington and Wairarapa where compliance rates have dropped. Minister Shane Jones urges the public to report illegal activity via the 0800 4 POACHER line and warns against suspiciously cheap pāua sales, especially on social media during peak months. The initiative aims to protect legitimate fishers and pāua stocks by encouraging community cooperation and adherence to fishing rules.
Tags: Shane Jones Fishery Officer pāua poaching illegal trade Fisheries New Zealand Wellington Wairarapa NZ Fishing Rules AppNorthland Closes East Coast to Rock Lobster Fishing to Boost Stocks from 2026
1 month ago | 359 viewsNorthland’s east coast spiny rock lobster fishery will be largely closed to both commercial and recreational fishing, with reduced recreational daily limits, to help restore lobster stocks and maintain marine ecosystem balance. These measures, including extended closures from Ohao Point to Cape Rodney and a nationwide limit on packhorse lobster catches, follow a voluntary commercial closure and aim to prevent fishers from shifting pressure to other species. After public consultation with over 600 submissions, the new regulations will take effect from April 1, 2026.
Tags: Shane Jones Northland Oceans and Fisheries Minister spiny rock lobster rock lobster fishery recreational fishing commercial fishing Hauraki Gulf CRA 1 CRA 2Government Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to NZ Rock Lobster Fisheries
1 month ago | 261 viewsThe Government is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rock lobster fisheries in New Zealand’s CRA 3 and CRA 7 regions as part of its fisheries sustainability review. CRA 7 is healthy and may support increased commercial harvest, while CRA 3 is under pressure, prompting recent catch reductions and further recovery proposals. These proposals were developed with input from various fishing sectors, and consultation on Southern blue whiting stocks will begin soon, with submission details available on MPI’s website.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand rock lobster CRA 3 CRA 7 fisheries sustainability National Rock Lobster Advisory Group Southern blue whiting MPI East CapeOtago Peninsula Fishery Closure Extended to Protect Endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins
1 month ago | 276 viewsAn emergency fishery closure around Otago Peninsula to protect the threatened northern hoiho population has been extended until 16 September 2026 to allow careful review of longer-term measures. The closure bans set-net fishing within eight nautical miles of the peninsula to reduce penguin bycatch, while consultations on future measures remain open until 12 December 2025. Delays caused by legal challenges have hindered progress, but officials aim to finalize longer-term protections early in 2026 to balance conservation efforts with the interests of local fishers.
Tags: Otago Peninsula hoiho Shane Jones emergency fishery closure Rakiura Stewart Island MPI fisheries bycatchNew Zealand Fish Stocks Are 87% Sustainable, Fisheries Minister Confirms
1 month ago | 237 viewsA recent report shows that 87.2% of New Zealand’s 149 scientifically evaluated fish stocks are sustainable, with plans to restore the 19 stocks needing support. The country’s fisheries are recognized globally for sustainability, supported by a quota management system and ongoing reforms to enhance responsive fisheries management. The seafood sector employs around 9,000 people and generates approximately $1.5 billion in exports annually, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s economy and food supply.
Tags: Shane Jones New Zealand Fisheries New Zealand fish stocks sustainability United Nations seafood sector quota management system fisheries reforms MPIWatercare's $1 Million Payment to Oyster Farmers - A Welcome First Step Amidst Sewage Contamination Crisis
2 months ago | 314 viewsWatercare has made a $1 million compensation payment to oyster farmers affected by sewage contamination in Mahurangi Harbour, but more compensation is needed, according to Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft. The payment was a response to a recent sewage overflow incident caused by a power surge, impacting farmers during harvest time. Marcroft urges Watercare to work with Aquaculture NZ to fully compensate farmers for the financial and personal toll of repeated sewage overflows, emphasizing the importance of protecting waterways from pollution.
Tags: Jenny Marcroft Jamie Sinclair Watercare Oyster farmers Sewage contamination Mahurangi Harbour Aquaculture New Zealand Compensation payment Warkworth Oceans and FisheriesMinister Attends Graduation of 10 New Fishery Officers Ensuring Sustainable Fisheries
3 months ago | 294 viewsOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones attended the graduation of 10 new Fishery Officers, emphasizing the importance of their work in ensuring fishers comply with regulations and protect fish stocks. The graduates unexpectedly encountered real poachers during a training exercise, highlighting the significance of their role in enforcing regulations. The Fishery Officers play a crucial role in maintaining sustainable fisheries, with over 11,000 Kiwis employed in the seafood sector and hundreds of thousands engaging in recreational fishing activities.
Tags: Shane Jones Fishery Officers New Zealand Fisheries Minister sustainability fish stocks poachers seafood sector fisheries management system KiwisNew Zealand Exporters Set to Benefit from Fairer Competition Under WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
4 months ago | 464 viewsNew Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlights the benefits for exporters from the World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies coming into effect, aiming to ensure fair competition by prohibiting subsidies that support illegal fishing practices. McClay emphasizes that the agreement aligns with New Zealand's push for global reform in the fishing industry, promoting responsible production and safeguarding fish stocks. New Zealand's ratification of the agreement in 2023 reflects its commitment to supporting fair competition and doubling the value of exports, with a focus on the Pacific region where key partners and exporters operate.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand exporters subsidies fish WTO agreement competition trade fisheriesProtecting Hoiho Population: NZ Implements Emergency Fishery Closure
4 months ago | 461 viewsThe Government is implementing a temporary emergency fishery closure around the Otago Peninsula to protect the hoiho population in mainland New Zealand. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones will conduct public consultation on permanent measures to address hoiho bycatch in the area. The consultation will include proposals such as extending the set net ban and implementing an escalating response framework to reduce hoiho bycatch towards zero.
Tags: Shane Jones Hoiho Fisheries New Zealand Oceans Closure Bycatch Set net ban Public consultation Emergency fishery closureSeafood Sustainability & Innovation Awards 2025: Winners Drive Marine Conservation & Market Growth
4 months ago | 513 viewsThe Seafood Sustainability and Innovation Awards recognized projects like re-seeding juvenile pāua and driving mussel farming innovation. Professor Kura Paul-Burke of the University of Waikato was celebrated for championing healthy oceans through community-based restoration efforts. Other winners included individuals and organizations contributing to sustainable practices and innovation in the seafood sector.
Tags: Seafood Sustainability Innovation Awards Shane Jones Māori knowledge marine science aquaculture industry John Young Clearwater Mussels Oceans and FisheriesMajor Fisheries Reforms for Sustainable Growth: Minister Shane Jones Unveils Game-Changing Changes
6 months ago | 903 viewsThe Government is implementing significant fisheries reforms to support sustainable growth in the fishing industry, aiming to remove obstacles and enhance decision-making for setting catch limits. The reforms include more responsive rules based on changes in fish abundance, improved privacy protection for fishers through changes in the onboard camera program, and practical guidelines for landing or discarding catch. These changes align with the goal of fostering a thriving and sustainable fishing industry, with an amendment Bill to be introduced for further feedback through the select committee process.
Tags: Shane Jones Fisheries Act reforms sustainable growth fishing industry catch limits fisheries management onboard cameras Official Information Act MPI.New Zealand and Solomon Islands Strengthen Ties in Wellington Meeting
6 months ago | 1045 viewsPrime Minister Luxon and Foreign Minister Peters met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele in Wellington to reaffirm New Zealand's strong ties with Solomon Islands. Discussions included supporting Solomon Islands' economy and education and fisheries sectors, as well as preparations for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum hosted by PM Manele. New Zealand's ongoing commitment to supporting Solomon Islands' development was highlighted by both Mr. Luxon and Mr. Peters during the visit.
Tags: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon Foreign Minister Winston Peters Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele Wellington New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum education fisheries Auckland