Review of the recreational daily kina limit in fishery management area 1 (the east coast of the upper North Island)

Consultation background

Fisheries New Zealand sought your views on proposals to change the recreational daily bag limits for kina (Evechinus chloroticus and Centrostephanus rodgersii) in fisheries management area 1 (FMA 1). FMA 1 is an area defined in Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996. It covers the east coast of the North Island from North Cape down to Cape Runaway (Bay of Plenty).

These proposals were part of a package of measures to help address kina barrens (areas of the seafloor that have a lack of vegetation due to overgrazing by kina). The current limits were set under the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 and specified in the Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice.

This consultation closed at 5pm on 20 May 2024.

A summary of 3 proposed options is on this page and full details were in the consultation document.

What was proposed?

Urchin barrens are areas on the seabed where sea urchins have multiplied in large numbers and consumed all the vegetation. This leads to a barren seafloor with a loss of habitat and biodiversity, impacting the overall health of coastal environments. Urchin barrens are prevalent in north-eastern New Zealand and pose significant ecological risks as they expand, leading to the degradation of marine ecosystems.

Fisheries New Zealand is adopting an integrated management approach to try to reduce the spread of these barren areas, recognising the urgent need for comprehensive action. This approach encompasses a suite of management initiatives aimed at restoring kelp forests and mitigating the adverse effects of urchin barrens. Adjusting recreational daily limits for kina is one of many tools in Fisheries New Zealand's broader management efforts.

Three options were proposed for kina in FMA 1.

• Option 1: Status quo (retain the current daily limit of 50 kina per person per day).
• Option 2: Increase the daily limit from 50 to 100 kina per person per day.
• Option 3: Increase the daily limit from 50 to 150 kina per person per day.

Fisheries New Zealand wanted your views and what option you supported. Or whether you had an alternative option.

Consultation document

Proposed recreational daily limits for kina and Centrostephanus: FMA 1 [PDF, 725 KB]

Related consultation

Enabling the removal of sea urchins for the management or prevention of urchin barrens

Related information

Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 – NZ Legislation

Schedule 1 of the Fisheries Act 1996 – NZ Legislation

Recreational fishing rules

Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice

Media release: Minister calls for work to tackle kina barrens – Beehive