A customary rāhui has been in place on the Taranaki coast between New Plymouth and Ōpunake since January 2022. Photo: Robin Martin
Fisheries New Zealand is reminding the public to have their say on a proposed two-year fisheries closure along the Taranaki coastline.
The closure has been requested by Taranaki iwi and hapū over an area in western Taranaki.
It would cover the harvest of:
- all shellfish, including crayfish
- all seaweeds, excluding beach cast seaweed
- all anemones
- all stingrays
- conger eel species (Conger wilsoni and Conger verreauxi).
The request has been made under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.
It follows a traditional customary rāhui, and previous temporary closure.
The iwi's application said that more time was needed for further population recovery, data collection over a sufficient time scale, and to establish longer-term protection strategies.
If approved, the two-year closure would be enforceable by Fishery Officers.
Written submissions by anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area could be made to Fisheries New Zealand up until 5pm on Monday 30 September.
More information including a map and how to make a submission could be found on MPI's website under 'consultations': Proposed temporary fisheries closure in western Taranaki.