Northland Crayfish Public Consultation Open Now – have your say while you can!

Public consultation is now open for a suite of management measures proposed by Fisheries NZ for rock lobster fished in CRA 1, east and west coast of Northland. The purpose of the public consultation is for Fisheries NZ to canvas the views of the public on a range of measures intended to better manage the impact of rock lobster fishing on urchin barren formation in the CRA 1 region. 

The depletion of rock lobster in CRA 1 and the consequential proliferation of urchin barrens is just one example of where New Zealand’s “world-leading” Quota Management System (QMS) has failed, with the same issue occurring down the east coast of the North Island. It’s important to read through the proposal and have your say before 15 December. The NZ Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea are still developing their submission, please email if you have any questions.