Have your say
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures for orange roughy in ORH 3B and blue mackerel in EMA 1 as part of the 2025 October sustainability round.
The ORH 3B stock covers orange roughy across Southland, the East Coast of the South Island, the Sub-Antarctic and the Chatham Islands. The EMA 1 stock covers blue mackerel across the East Coast of Northland, and Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.
We invite feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on the proposals for these stocks. Summaries of the proposals are on this page and full details are in the consultation documents.
The closing time and date for submissions on the ORH 3B and EMA 1 proposals is 9am on 28 July 2025.
Summary of the proposals and consultation documents
|
Species |
Stock/area |
Proposal |
Consultation document |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Orange roughy |
ORH 3B |
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to reduce the total and commercial catch limits (TAC and TACC), and an option to close orange roughy fishing in certain areas to help rebuild the stock. |
Review of sustainability measures for orange roughy (ORH 3B) for 2025/26 [PDF, 2.4 MB] |
|
Blue mackerel |
EMA 1 |
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing options to increase the total and commercial catch limits (TAC and TACC) of EMA 1, and to vary the allowances for recreational take and other mortality caused by fishing |
Review of sustainability measures for blue mackerel (EMA 1) for 2025/26 [PDF, 1.6 MB] |
Supporting document
Information on the interpretation and application of the statutory considerations relevant to TAC decisions is provided in the Legal Appendix.
Legal Appendix: Overview of legislative requirements and other considerations in relation to sustainability measures [PDF, 389 KB]
About the proposed changes
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.
These proposals have been 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.
Related consultation
There is related consultation underway for other fish stocks as part of the 2025 October sustainability round. Submissions on that consultation close earlier (5pm on 23 July 2025).
Review of sustainability measures for 1 October 2025
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the proposals set out in the ORH 3B and EMA 1 consultation documents by 9am on 28 July 2025 to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission template [DOCX, 74 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).
