Articles tagged with Fisheries New Zealand

Hauraki Gulf Rockpool Ban Enforced to Protect Marine Life and Ecosystems

1 week ago | 122 views

A ban on gathering marine life from rockpools and coastal waters in the Hauraki Gulf north of Auckland has come into effect to preserve ecological areas and ensure fishery sustainability. Fishery Officers will patrol key locations to enforce the closure, with fines up to $100,000 for violations, and educational efforts are underway in partnership with local iwi and communities. Fisheries New Zealand, working with Ngāti Manuhiri, has implemented this temporary closure alongside educational materials to raise awareness about the cultural and environmental importance of protecting intertidal ecosystems.

Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Ngāti Manuhiri Fishery Officers Fisheries New Zealand Hauraki Gulf Auckland Oceans and Fisheries Minister Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust MPI

Bluff Oyster Season 2024 Opens with Careful Management Amid Challenges

2 weeks ago | 164 views

The Bluff oyster season has opened with a cautious approach following a pre-season survey indicating challenges such as disease and environmental pressures, but also promising growth of new oysters. Fisheries New Zealand is working closely with local fishers to manage the fishery conservatively, protecting areas with many small oysters and ensuring science-based decisions to safeguard the fishery’s future. The season runs from March to August, with ongoing monitoring planned, and a full survey report to be released later in the year.

Tags: Jenny Marcroft Fisheries New Zealand Bluff oyster Mahurangi oyster Shellfish Working Group Oceans and Fisheries oyster fishers oyster season oyster disease oyster survey

New Two-Year Ban to Protect Marine Life in East Coast Rockpools North of Auckland

1 month ago | 214 views

The Government has approved a two-year ban starting March 12, 2026, on harvesting various invertebrates and seaweed from rockpools and coastlines north of Auckland to protect fragile marine ecosystems from over-collection. This temporary closure, supported by the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust’s traditional rāhui, excludes species with existing restrictions and aquaculture activities, while allowing continued kina harvesting to manage their populations. Officials are also developing educational materials and broader proposals for sustainable intertidal fisheries management, with public consultations planned for Auckland and Coromandel.

Tags: Shane Jones Jenny Marcroft Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust Auckland Hauraki Gulf Rodney Hibiscus Coast Oceans and Fisheries Fisheries New Zealand Coromandel

Minister Jones Considers New Rules to Protect Rockpools and Marine Life Sustainability

1 month ago | 269 views

Oceans 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 sustainability

Urgent Action Needed to Protect Marine Life in Whangaparāoa Rockpools

2 months ago | 1042 views

The 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 Bays

Summer Fishery Officer Patrols to Combat Illegal Pāua Poaching and Trade in NZ

2 months ago | 451 views

Fishery 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 App

New Zealand Fish Stocks Are 87% Sustainable, Fisheries Minister Confirms

3 months ago | 354 views

A 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 MPI

Protecting Hoiho Population: NZ Implements Emergency Fishery Closure

6 months ago | 578 views

The 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 closure