Some of the crayfish from New Zealand unable to be exported to China due to the coronavirus outbreak will be returned to the sea.
Between 150 and 180 tonnes of live rock lobster are being held in pots and tanks, at sea and on land, after export orders were cancelled by Chinese distributors.
The industry has asked the Government to help manage the impact on the $320 million industry.
On Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said he had agreed that fisheries officials could allow a limited release of rock lobster back into the wild.
“The decision will affect the live crayfish in holding pots at sea, and some held in tanks on land. It means they can be harvested again when the trade disruptions are resolved,” he said.
Exports of live rock lobster from New Zealand to China stopped last month as a result of “dramatically” reduced demand due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Nash said there were a number of concerns to be managed, including potential impacts on the health, welfare and sustainability of the rock lobster fishery, wider biosecurity issues for the marine environment, and the economic impact on local fishing communities and the industry.
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