Proposed temporary closure of the eastern Coromandel coast to the harvest of scallops

Why we consulted

Ngāti Hei Trust requested a temporary closure to the eastern Coromandel scallop fishery. The request was for a 2-year closure.

Fisheries New Zealand sought your feedback about the request. 

Reasons for the closure request

Ngāti Hei considered that a temporary closure would:

• recognise and provide for the customary management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of their non-commercial fishing rights
• allow time for scallop stocks in the area to replenish and increase in number and size.

The request document from Ngāti Hei [PDF, 2 MB]

The proposed closure area

The proposed temporary closure request was for an area of New Zealand fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

• starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at the northernmost extremity of Anarake Point (at 36°40.945'S and 175°36.320'E); then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately north north-easterly direction to a point offshore (near Repanga/Cuvier Island) at 36°25.346'S and 175°41.679'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately north-easterly direction to a point offshore (near Repanga/Cuvier Island) at 36°22.534'S and 175°47.288'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately east south-easterly direction to a point offshore at 36°24.839'S and 176°01.044'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately south south-easterly direction to a point offshore at 36°46.499'S and 176°10.612'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately southerly direction to a point offshore (approximately south-east of the Alderman Islands) at 37°03.137'S and 176°12.669'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in a west south-westerly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at Ruahiwihiwi Point at 37°06.822'S and 175°53.413'E; then
• proceeding along the mean high-water mark to the starting point.

The proposed closure request included the waters around:

• Repanga/Cuvier Island
• Ahuahu/Great Mercury Island
• Ohinau Island
• the Alderman Islands
• Whakahau/Slipper Island

Map of the proposed Eastern Coromandel temporary closure [PDF, 3.3 MB]

What are temporary closures?

Temporary closures and restrictions on fishing methods recognise and provide for tangata whenua customary fishing rights and management practices. The closures apply to recreation, commercial, and customary fishing.

Anyone can request a temporary closure for up to 2 years, but the legislation was designed for customary use. To be approved, the Minister of Fisheries must consider the temporary closure will benefit tangata whenua.

The laws around temporary closures are in section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

Section 186A – NZ Legislation