New Zealand on March 22 increased catch limits for spiny rock lobster, blue tuna and páua as respective ocean stocks increase. 

In its latest biannual review, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries consulted scientific observation and public insight to raise harvest limits.

Announcing this development, Oceans and Fisheries Minister, Shane Jones, stated that the review has shown abundant stocks that promise sustainability.

The exception is páua, a large abalone that dwells on the earthquake-prone southern coast of Kaikóura.  Since 2016, the recreational facility here has been inaccessible in a bid to replenish dwindling stocks of the mollusc. 

This time round, Jones allowed  a recreational fishing period to run between April 21 and June 21.

The minister said that an independent commission will monitor the total catches of páua during the 2-month recreational window.

Non-recreational fishing of this abalone, however, has received the same extra catch limits as other fisheries.

Also enjoying extra hauls is the profitable spiny rock lobster that dwells in rocky shores in southern New Zealand.

All lobster fishing areas will enjoy higher catch limits apart from Gisborne where total allowable catches (TAC) will decrease. This storm-prone area witnessed cyclones in 2023, which affected the breeding of spiny rock lobster.

Otherwise, crayfish catches in the waters around the capital Auckland, and the South Island will increase according to plan.

Rock lobsters constitute a high portion of lobster production in New Zealand. In the 2019/20 season, the country produced 2,750 metric tonnes, whose export drew NZ$340 million in value. 

For southern bluefin tuna, on the other hand, increases in fishing quotas are countrywide, especially the all-important Bounty Platform area. 

Most catches of the huge fish are from the South Island. Here, the tuna averages 18.5 kg, though some huge specimens often reach 150 kg. 

To protect the species, New Zealand only fishes 17,647 metric tonnes a year in alignment with the world’s total allowable catches for southern bluefin tuna.

Thus, 2024 looks to being a great year for New Zealand’s fishermen of spiny rocky lobster, southern bluefin tuna and páua.