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Proposed further temporary closure at Mair Bank and Marsden Bank, Marsden Point, Whangārei, to the harvest of all shellfish

Update June 2022

Ministers decision

Following the consultation, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has decided to temporarily close Marsden Bank and Mair Bank to the take of all shellfish between 29 June 2022 and 28 June 2024, inclusive.

Marsden bank and Mair Bank [PDF, 238 KB]

Gazetted notice

Customary fisheries management areas

Consultation background

The Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, on behalf of the Patuharakeke hapū, requested the further 2-year temporary closure to the harvest of all shellfish from Mair Bank and Marsden Bank, Marsden Point.

Fisheries New Zealand invited written submissions in response to the request from people who have an interest in the species concerned or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned.

Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allowed the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area.

Find out more about temporary closures

Documents for the proposed closure

Request for the temporary closure [PDF, 5.2 MB]

Appendices to the request

Coordinates and map of the proposed area

The proposed temporary closure covered all that area of New Zealand fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

  • commencing at a point on the mean high-water mark at the base of the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.24'S and 174°29.91'E); then
  • proceeding in a north-easterly direction to a point at the seaward end of the Marsden Point oil refinery jetty (at 35°50.21'S and 174°29.95'E); then
  • proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangarei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 18 (at 35°50.32'S and 174°30.44'E); then
  • proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangarei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 16 (at 35°50.54'S and 174°30.94'E); then
  • proceeding in a south-easterly direction to the Whangarei Harbour main channel port-hand buoy number 14 (at 35°50.76'S and 174°31.19'E); then
  • proceeding in a south-westerly direction to a point offshore (at 35°50.86'S and 174°30.50'E); then
  • proceeding due west to a point on the mean high-water mark (at 35°50.86'S and 174°29.65'E); then
  • proceeding along the mean high-water mark in a generally north-easterly then north-westerly direction to the point of commencement.

Map of the proposed Mair Bank and Marsden Bank temporary closure [PDF, 10 MB]

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Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation