The rules, set out in a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) are similar in the 3 areas but with some specific conditions for each location (as below).
The new controlled area extends from Cape Barrier in the south, up the entire western coastline to the southern edge of Port Abercrombie and out to 40 metres deep and including up to the high-tide mark (refer to the map below).
Throughout this area, there are restrictions on some fishing activities that make contact with the seafloor (and can therefore spread exotic caulerpa) – for example using flounder nets, dredging, or bottom trawling.
Anchoring without a specific permit from Biosecurity New Zealand is also prohibited in the entire area marked in red on the map below. At Port Fitzroy (yellow on map), anchoring is allowed without any permit. However, fishing restrictions apply in Port Fitzroy.
Within the whole controlled area (including Port Fitzroy), you can:
Within this area, you cannot:
Controlled Area Notice for Great Barrier Island and Great Mercury Island [PDF, 1.1 MB]
To apply for an anchoring exemption permit (for all areas of the CAN apart from Port Fitzroy), complete the application form and email it to Caulerpa@mpi.govt.nz
To apply for a permit to fish for rock lobster in exceptional circumstances (for all areas of the CAN), complete the application form and email it to caulerpa@mpi.govt.nz
Guidelines for making this application and the requirements involved are below.
In May 2024, Biosecurity New Zealand carried out a review of 3 time-limited permits issued to commercial rock lobster fishing operators within the Aotea Great Barrier Island Zone A controlled area where exotic caulerpa is present. The permits were issued to undertake crayfish potting under strict biosecurity conditions.
Review of Commercial rock lobster potting permits for the exotic caulerpa Aotea and Ahuahu CAN 2023 [PDF, 613 KB]
The controlled area at Great Mercury Island takes in the western bays area of the island between Maunganui Point and Ahikopua Point, including Huruhi Harbour, and including the high-tide mark.
Within this area:
Controlled Area Notice for Great Barrier Island and Great Mercury Island [PDF, 1.1 MB]
It is illegal to fish or anchor a vessel in the defined controlled area (refer to the map) of Te Rāwhiti Inlet.
The area under controls is bounded by Whau Point, the south-eastern tip of Te Ao Island, the southern shoreline of Poroporo Island and the northern tip of Tokatokahau Point up to the high-tide area.
Under the CAN, it is illegal to remove any marine life (including fish, shellfish, koura (crayfish) or seaweed from the zone. This means any form of fishing is banned. This includes spearfishing, crayfishing, kina and other shellfish gathering, net fishing and drift fishing from any kind of vessel.
It is also illegal to take vessels or dive gear (for example, wetsuits, fins, tanks) into the controlled area for fishing.
No anchoring is allowed in the controlled area other than for a very few permitted activities such as for scientific research or where residents are reliant on a vessel for regular transport. For those activities, you'll need to get a permit from us. Anchoring in an emergency (for example, to shelter from weather) is allowed without a permit.
Permitting specifications for anchoring [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Permit application form for anchoring or moving vessels [PDF, 95 KB]
Detailed caulerpa Controlled Area Notice map: Te Rāwhiti [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Controlled Area Notice for Te Rāwhiti Inlet [PDF, 773 KB]
