The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on the annual review of catch limits and other management settings for the start of the April 2018 fishing year.
Each year, MPI reviews the best available information to determine whether changes are required to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources.
MPI's fisheries management director, Stuart Anderson says MPI invests more than $20 million in fisheries science every year to ensure management reviews are based on quality information.
"Public consultation is a very important part of this process and we encourage people to let us know what is happening in their local fishery so we can make sure we get this right.
"Combined with the best possible scientific information, feedback from the public will enable MPI to provide the Minister of Fisheries with advice to assist him to make decisions on a range of fish stocks.
"We all want shared sustainable fisheries for the future, so it is vital we regularly check and adjust catch limits where needed."
As part of the April 2018 sustainability round, the following stocks are being reviewed:
Rock lobster:
- CRA 2 (Hauraki Gulf/Bay of Plenty)
- CRA 4 (Wellington/Hawke's Bay)
- CRA 7 (Otago)
- CRA 8 (Southern).
Sea cucumber:
- SCC 3 (east coast South Island)
- SCC 7B (upper west coast South Island and Nelson.
Southern blue whiting: SBW 6B (Bounty Platform).
Of the 4 rock lobster stocks reviewed, decreases to the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) and allowances are proposed for 2 stocks, and increases to the TAC and TACC are proposed for 2 stocks.
Increases to the TAC and TACC are proposed for both sea cucumber stocks and the southern blue whiting stock.
In addition, consultation is taking place for an in-season increase to the TAC for southern bluefin tuna (STN 1) to implement outcomes of the recent meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, of which New Zealand is a member.
Consultation opens 12 January and closes on 9 February 2018.
Find out more about the proposed changes and how to have your say