The decline of one of New Zealanders’ favourite fish has been blamed on “destructive” commercial fishing practices.
Lobby group LegaSea on Thursday claimed the decline of tarakihi on the east coast was due to techniques “like trawling and netting in fish nursery areas”.
“Here’s another fishery that’s fallen below the soft limit of 20 per cent,” spokesman Richard Baker said. “Ideally fisheries should be managed at 40 per cent plus, that’s a world recognised standard. But here we have one that’s just been left to drift.”
It was “very much” a commercial fishing problem, Baker said.
Fisheries New Zealand is currently seeking feedback on proposed changes to sustainability measures and other management controls for selected fish, including tarakihi.
Documents relating to the proposed changes state “there is a sustainability risk associated with current catch levels of tarakihi on the eastern coast of the North and South Islands”.
“The 2018 tarakihi stock assessment indicates that the stock is at 17 per cent of unfished levels … which is below the soft limit [of 20 per cent] as determined by the Harvest Strategy Standard [HSS].”
Industry group Seafood New Zealand agreed action was needed to improve the east coast tarakihi stock.
“We have provided a tarakihi management strategy to Fisheries New Zealand … offering to significantly reduce catches by more than 1000 tonnes from October 1 this year.”
It also had committed to management and research measures which ensured continued improvement of the stock, the spokesperson said.
Those measures would have a “significant impact”.
“In Hawke’s Bay alone this has the potential to have huge ramifications for local small businesses and the local economy. This issue is too big for political point-scoring between stakeholders. We are committed to achieving an improved tarakihi fishery and a fair and equitable outcome for all New Zealanders and tarakihi.”
An MPI spokesperson said scientific information suggested the species had “sustainability issues which need to be addressed”.
“To help this stock rebuild we are proposing a range of options that would result in a significant decrease to the catch limits for commercial fishers.
“We are also proposing options that would reduce allowances for recreational fishing to better reflect how much we think fishers are taking. No changes to recreational bag limits are proposed at this stage.”
A spokesperson for Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said tarakihi was an “important fishery”.
“Tarakihi is a valuable species for recreational, customary and commercial fishing interests, and other groups also have a stake in ensuring it remains sustainable for future generations.”
As Nash was the “final decision maker”, he would not comment further while the consultation process was underway.
2018 Stuff Limited