Review of sustainability measures for fisheries – October 2025 round

About this consultation

Fisheries New Zealand reviews catch limits for selected stocks twice a year. This is consistent with the purpose of the Fisheries Act 1996 to allow for sustainable utilisation.

We're seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for a range of fish stocks as part of the October 2025 sustainability round.

Fisheries New Zealand is currently reviewing catch limits and allowances for:

• Anchovy (ANC 1), Garfish (GAR 1), Sprat (SPR 1), Yellow-eyed mullet (YEM 1) - Hauraki Gulf, Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty
• Jack mackerel (JMA 1) – East Coast North Island
• Smooth skate (SSK 1) – Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, West Coast North Island
• Blue cod (BCO 8) – Taranaki, West Coast of Wellington
• Paua (PAU 2) – East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki & Wellington
• Paua (PAU 5A) – Fiordland
• Rough skate (RSK 3) – East Coast South Island
• Rig (SPO7) and Snapper (SNA 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
• Green-lipped mussel (GLM 7), Horse mussel (HOR 7), and Oyster (OYS 7) – Top of the South Island
• Blue cod (BCO 3) – East Coast South Island
• Blue cod (BCO 5) – Southland
• Blue mackerel (EMA 7) – West Coast North Island, West Coast South Island
• Gemfish (SKI 3 & 7) – South Island, Chatham Islands, West Coast off Taranaki & Wellington
• Silver warehou (SWA 3 & 4) – East Coast South Island, Southland, Chatham Islands, Sub-Antarctic
• Leatherjacket (LEA 1), Frostfish FRO 1), Alfonsino (BYX 7), Dark ghost shark (GSH 7), Redbait (RBT 3) – East and West Coasts of Auckland, Northland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty, West Coast and top of the South Island (inshore and offshore), East Coast South Island (offshore)

We are also reviewing deemed value rates for:

• Snapper (SNA 7) – West Coast and top of the South Island
• Blue mackerel (EMA 7) – West Coast North and South Island
• Rig (SPO 7 & 8) – West Coast and top of the South Island, West Coast off Taranaki & Wellington
• Blue cod (BCO 3) – East Coast South Island
• Gemfish (SKI 3 & 7) – South Islands, Chatham Islands, West Coast off Taranaki, Wellington
• School shark (SCH 5) – Southland and Sub-Antarctic

Fisheries New Zealand is also reviewing sustainability measures for Orange roughy (ORH 3B) and blue mackerel (EMA 1) as a part of this sustainability round. Consultation on the proposed changes for these stocks is expected to begin by the end of June.

Have your say

We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on the proposals.

All of the proposals in this round were assessed:

• in the context of the relevant statutory requirements
• using the best available information, including the latest scientific information on the status of the stocks and tangata whenua and stakeholder input.

Full details are provided in the consultation documents. This web page also has a summary of the proposals.

The closing time and date for submissions on all proposals is 5pm on 23 July 2025.

Summary of the proposals and consultation documents

Supporting document

Information on the interpretation and application of the statutory considerations relevant to TAC decisions is in the Legal Appendix.

Legal Appendix Overview of legislative requirements and other considerations in relation to sustainability measures October 2025 round [PDF, 389 KB]

Making your submission

Fisheries New Zealand invites you to email your feedback on the proposals by 5pm on 23 July 2025 to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submission form template [DOCX, 78 KB]

While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:

2025 Sustainability Review
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include

Make sure you tell us in your submission:

• the title of the consultation document
• your name and title
• your organisation's name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it)
• your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).

Related information

Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act 2000 – NZ Legislation

About the Quota Management System (QMS)

The Harvest Strategy Standard [PDF, 240KB]

Operational Guidelines for New Zealand's Harvest Strategy Standard [PDF, 843 KB]

The Deemed Values Guidelines [PDF, 896 KB]

Glossary of relevant terms

National Fisheries Plan for deepwater and middle-depth fisheries [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Regional plan provisions and policy statements [PDF, 324 KB]

Fisheries Infosite

Fisheries Assessment Plenary

National Inshore Finfish Fisheries Plan [PDF, 10 MB]