Fisheries New Zealand seeks feedback on a request for a temporary fishery closure and a method prohibition banning the use of nets. The proposed closure area will be called Rehuotane Ki Tai and covers Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay, and Ngunguru River (Northland) and nearby areas.

The request is for a 2-year closure and would prohibit the take of:

• All shellfish, excluding kina.
• Seahorse (all species).
• Piper/garfish.

The definition of shellfish includes but is not limited to:

• Blackfoot and yellowfoot pāua.
• Rock lobster and packhorse rock lobster.
• Mussels (all species).
• Octopus.
• Squid.

The taking of scallops is already prohibited under section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1996. The requested method prohibition would ban the use of nets, including scoop nets, gill nets, set nets and drag nets.

The consultation closes at 5 PM on Monday the 8^th of May 2023.

For more information see the Fisheries New Zealand website.

Additional Resources

MPI Consultation Document - Proposed closure area map

MPI Consultation Document - Closure request