Have your say
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking 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 are 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 are set under the Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Regulations 2013 and are specified in the Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice.
This consultation opened on 26 March and closes at 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A summary of 3 proposed options is on this page and full details are in the consultation document.
What is being 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 are 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 would like to know your views and what option you support. Or whether you have 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
Fisheries (Recreational Management Controls) Notice
Media release: Minister calls for work to tackle kina barrens – Beehive
Making your submission
Fisheries New Zealand invites your feedback on the proposed options by 5pm on 3 May 2024.
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submission form template [DOCX, 74 KB]
Email your completed template and submission to FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can post written submissions to:
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand – MPI
17 Maurice Wilson Avenue
PO Box 53030
Auckland Airport 2022
New Zealand.
Following this consultation, we'll give the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries advice and the submissions from the public to support final decisions on the recreational daily limit for kina in FMA 1.
What to include
Make sure your submission tells us:
- the title of the consultation document
- your title and full name
- 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 a phone number and email address).
