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Proposal for in-season increases to the Total Allowable Catch for Flatfish 3 and Red Cod 2

Update – 22 August

Minister's decisions

Consultation has closed and the Minister for Primary Industries has made decisions on in-season increases to the total allowable catch (TAC) for Flatfish 3 (FLA 3, East Coast South Island) and Red Cod 2 (RCO 2, central lower North Island) for the 2016/17 fishing year. This includes the provision of additional annual catch entitlement (ACE) for commercial fishers and increases to the customary Māori and recreational allowances. The increases would be in place until 30 September 2017.

The Minister's decision letter provides the details of, and reasons for, each of his decisions.

Summary of the Minister's decisions
Area Decision summary  
East Coast South Island flatfish (FLA 3)

Increase the TAC from 1,617 tonnes to 2,335 tonnes.

Provide an additional 635 tonnes of ACE to commercial fishers.

Increase allowances for

  • customary Māori from 5 tonnes to 7 tonnes
  • recreational from 150 tonnes to 217 tonnes
  • other sources of fishing-related mortality from 32 tonnes to 46 tonnes.
Central lower North Island red cod (RCO 2)

Increase the TAC from 500 tonnes to 807 tonnes.

Provide an additional 233 tonnes of ACE to commercial fishers.

Set allowances for:

  • customary Māori of 1 tonne
  • recreational of 36 tonnes
  • other sources of fishing-related mortality of 37 tonnes.

Background to consultation

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought feedback from tangata whenua and stakeholders on proposed changes to the in-season TAC and allowances for FLA 3 and RCO 2.

Consultation ran from 1 June to 14 June 2017.

Proposals

Reviews of in-season TACs and allowances for selected stocks are undertaken annually. This is consistent with the requirement that MPI ensures the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources.

The proposals for each stock were assessed in the context of the relevant statutory requirements and the best available information, including (where relevant) the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks, and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.

Consultation documents

If you cannot open the documents or would like printed copies, email FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

Making your submission

Consultation on the proposed changes closed at 5pm on 14 June 2017.

Submissions are public information

Note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may

wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.

MPI business units