Photo by Gregory Ross

Kia ora Friend,

After a massive year everyone has earned a good break. We started and finished the year talking about the loss of our precious taonga, our scallops. In between, our fisheries team has been flat out reacting to a whole bunch of important issues and some outrageous proposals for snapper, hāpuku, crayfish, paua and blue cod in particular. 

Our LegaSea team has been equally busy raising awareness for all the good work our New Zealand Sport Fishing Council fisheries team has achieved in reacting to important issues. We don't always get it right, but we do our best to analyse the stream of information and break it down so you can have your say. 

Our biggest challenge this year was amending the Fisheries Act. Fisheries New Zealand had proposed to remove public consultation from decision making processes. Thankfully your voice was heard. Thank you to everyone who submitted, shared their views and insights. LegaSea is a team effort and your input is gratefully received. 

For Christmas, we want the officials and politicians to know we are onto them in 2023. We no longer accept mediocrity when it comes to protecting our moana for us and our kids. We want policy, standards and action to deliver more fish in the water (that means returning coastal fish populations to a minimum of 50% of their original size) and a fair go for all Kiwis.

Kia kaha. 

The last scallop beds close

An early Christmas present was David Parker's decision last week to use emergency powers to close the two remaining open areas of the Coromandel scallop fishery. This means no more dredging around Little Barrier Island or the Colville Channel. It also means these broodstock areas get a rest so they can help to restore scallop numbers in the Hauraki Gulf, including the Coromandel.

Seems our much promoted 'world leading quota management system' has seen the demise of another fishery. It has however given us the opportunity to strengthen our resolve to work with mana whenua and environmental organisations to get all scallop dredging, bottom trawling and Danish seining out of all our coastal waters. 

The Great Summer LegaSea Photography Competition returns

We know this past year many of you have been snap-happy in and around the water. By showcasing our marine environment you can help inspire others to respect and enjoy our coast by entering your images in our annual photo competition. 

We want to see your images of the New Zealand coast, showcasing the good and the bad, to use in our various communications. This will help us to show the value of respecting the ocean so future generations have access to abundant fish populations.

This is an awesome way to support the effort for more fish in the water. Categories are defined below and you can enter as many times as you like.

Photo categories:

1. Landscape coastal shots.
2. Marine life in their natural environment.
3. People preparing and eating seafood – filleting, smoking fish, cooking, eating, and using the whole fish.
4. Lifestyle shots - enjoying the coast, fishing, diving, spearing, camping, boating, etc. 

We have 4 prize packs up for grabs, with gear from generous sponsors Black Magic Tackle, Barkers, Hutchwilco and more!

See the details, guidelines and competition terms here. Entries close at the end of February. 

Email entries to photos@legasea.co.nz

Bay of Islands fishing rules clarification

In November the Environmental Court upheld appeals against the Northland Regional Council proposed regional plan. Part of that plan will see some areas in and around the Bay of Islands closed to fishing from early 2023. 

We've had a few enquiries so wanted to clarify the current status - until the Environment Court releases its final decision there will be no new closures until after February 2023. 

That said, if you are fishing or diving in the Bay please be mindful of the existing closures: 

1. A 2-year temporary closure of Maunganui Bay, including Deep Water Cove. This prohibits the harvest of all fish, marine life and seaweed, except kina, under section 186A of the Fisheries Amendment Act 2022. 
2. A bylaw prevents anyone taking mussels from Te Puna Mātaitai in northern waters of the Bay.  

Otherwise, the usual official controls on recreational, commercial and Māori customary fishing applies in Bay of Islands waters.

Taranaki marine area closure

If you are fishing around Taranaki please respect the 2-year temporary closure preventing the harvest of all shellfish (except crayfish), seaweeds (except beachcast seaweed), anemones and conger eels. 

Minister David Parker's decision to support the application by local iwi came into effect last Friday, 16 December and lasts until December 2024. If locals want to extend the closure a new application will need to be made in 2024. 

The New Plymouth Sportfishing & Underwater Club has been actively engaged in discussions to work out how iwi, hapū and the Taranaki coastal communities can all work together to achieve the shared vision of more fish in the water.

Northland crayfish (CRA 1) decision 

The recent High Court decision on the mismanagement of crayfish around the upper North Island is a gamechanger. The Court's rulings are far reaching and will impact on future management reviews of catch limits for all species. Setting catch limits to maximise economic returns is no longer the priority. 

The Court has made it very clear, the Minister must use the best available information and take into account the past and present effects of fishing on the environment, before setting catch limits. If information is poor or inadequate (most stocks important to us) then the Minister has to act in a precautionary manner so there are more fish in the water. 

Just as the Supreme Court said in response to the Kahawai Legal Challenge in 2009, the Minister must ensure sustainability. This recent High Court judgement is good news for our fish, marine biodiversity, and ultimately us. 

Kaikōura pāua reopening in 2023

Minister David Parker has agreed the Kaikōura pāua fishery will open for harvesting in 2023. The commercial pāua fishing season is 12 months and starts on 5 January 2023. The season for Maori customary fishing is open now for 12 months. The recreational pāua fishing season opens on 15 April 2023 and closes on 16 June 2023. A 2-month season. The Minister will advise bag limits and other controls closer to the opening date. 

In November LegaSea worked with our New Zealand Sport Fishing Council fisheries team, the Kaikoura Boating and Fishing Club, and New Zealand Angling & Casting Association to develop a submission calling for a 3-month open season. We made 8 other recommendations and you can read more detailed information here. 

Makita New Zealand joins the Kai Ika project

The LegaSea ethos is to reduce our impact on the marine environment and to restore abundance for the benefit of future generations. With land based activities having a major impact on the marine environment, this philosophy is equally valid on land and at sea. 

The Kai Ika Project has always strived to have minimal environmental impact.

Our filleting trailers are now 100% solar powered. In addition, Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae recently underwent renovations which saw 20 large solar panels installed. 

Now, Makita New Zealand has allowed us to further reduce our carbon footprint, by donating a load of battery powered tools to help with our daily maintenance. 

These tools will make our lives, and day to day tasks, easier. They will also help us reduce our dependence on the older 2-stroke powered tools.

Thank you to the team at Makita New Zealand for your inspirational generosity. We look forward to building this relationship long into the future!

Kai Ika Filleting over Christmas and New Years

Our Westhaven Z Pier fish filleting site will be open 7 days a week throughout Summer (weather depending). 

To give our incredible team a break this holidays, both our Westhaven and OBC sites will be CLOSED on the following days:

25/12/22 - Christmas

26/12/22 - Boxing Day

01/01/22 - New Years Day

02/01/22 - Public Holiday

On our open days, if you want us to collect your fish from your boat at the end of Z Pier then all you have to do is call 027 305 2520 and one of the crew will meet you there.

Happy fishing!

--

Ngā mihi nui,

Benn and the LegaSea crew

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