Updates
11 July 2024 – Minister’s decision released
Following consultation, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has made the decision to introduce a new special permit purpose to enable the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens (areas of the seafloor overgrazed by urchins).
Information on applying for a special permit can be found on the special permit webpage.
How to apply for a fisheries special permit
We have released:
- the minister’s decision letter [PDF, 503 KB]
- the advice paper [PDF, 2.5 MB]
1 May 2024 – Consultation extended
The closing date for submissions was extended to 5pm on 20 May 2024.
Consultation background
Fisheries New Zealand sought your views on a proposal to introduce a new special permit purpose under section 97 of the Fisheries Act 1996. The special permit purpose was to enable the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens (areas of the seafloor overgrazed by urchins).
The consultation closed at 5pm on 20 May 2024.
A summary of the proposal is on this page and full details were in the consultation document.
What was proposed?
Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.
Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to stop the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Introducing a new special permit purpose that focuses on restoration and prevention efforts to combat urchin barrens is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand's broader management efforts.
Under the special permit framework set out in section 97 of the Fisheries Act, special permits can be issued for a range of purposes. The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may also approve a new special permit purpose, following consultation.
Fisheries New Zealand proposed the minister approve a new special permit purpose specifically to assist in managing and preventing urchin barren areas.
The proposed purpose was "to allow persons or organisations to harvest, cull, or translocate sea urchins for the purpose of habitat restoration and/or prevention of urchin barrens."
Fisheries New Zealand wanted to know your views and whether you supported the introduction of this new special permit purpose.
Consultation document
Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens [PDF, 494 KB]
Related consultation
Review of the recreational daily kina limit in fishery management area 1
