Articles tagged with Oceans
New Zealand Maintains Ban on Retaining North Island Reef Fish Bycatch
1 day ago | 69 viewsThe proposal to allow commercial fishers in northern North Island to retain and sell certain reef fish caught as bycatch will not proceed, according to Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. After considering over 22,000 public submissions and sustainability concerns, the historic ban protecting these species since 1993 will remain. The decision is part of a broader consultation on commercial fishing regulations, with further announcements forthcoming.
Tags: Shane Jones Oceans and Fisheries Minister North Island reef fish bycatch commercial fishers fishing regulations sustainability public consultation Quota Management speciesHauraki Gulf Rockpool Ban Enforced to Protect Marine Life and Ecosystems
1 week ago | 122 viewsA 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 MPIBluff Oyster Season 2024 Opens with Careful Management Amid Challenges
2 weeks ago | 164 viewsThe 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 surveyNew Two-Year Ban to Protect Marine Life in East Coast Rockpools North of Auckland
1 month ago | 214 viewsThe 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 CoromandelFisheries Reform: New Deemed Value Rules to Reflect Actual Fish Market Value
2 months ago | 494 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 MinisterNorthland Closes East Coast to Rock Lobster Fishing to Boost Stocks from 2026
3 months ago | 578 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 2Watercare's $1 Million Payment to Oyster Farmers - A Welcome First Step Amidst Sewage Contamination Crisis
4 months ago | 431 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 FisheriesProtecting Hoiho Population: NZ Implements Emergency Fishery Closure
6 months ago | 578 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
6 months ago | 618 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 FisheriesNew Zealand Fisheries Ranked Among World's Most Sustainable by UN Report: Minister Shane Jones Applauds Sector's Efforts
8 months ago | 2419 viewsA United Nations report ranking New Zealand’s fisheries among the world’s most sustainable is strong recognition of the sector’s hard work, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The report compared fisheries around the world and found the region including New Zealand’s waters have the second highest levels of sustainable stocks in the world. “New Zealand has a reputation around the world for high quality, sustainable kaimoana and, as this report shows, the reputation is richly deserved,” Mr Jones says.
Tags: Australian Fisheries act Food and agriculture organization of the united nations New south wales New zealand Oceans and fisheries Shane jones Southwest pacific United nations