Feedback sought on catch limits and sustainability

The public’s views are being sought on proposed changes for catch limits and sustainability measures for 22 fish stocks, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.

“Twice a year, formal reviews are done on a range of fish stocks and proposals are developed to adjust settings where necessary. The proposed options are developed using the best available science and information about the fishery,” Mr Jones says.

“When a fishery can sustainably handle more harvesting, contributing to our economy and supporting our communities, we should allow it. On the other hand, it is in everybody’s best interests to reduce fishing when needed.”

When selecting stocks for review, a range of factors are considered including sustainability risks, new information about the stock from assessments and monitoring programmes, information from tangata whenua, the public, and stakeholders, and environmental factors.

This review includes proposals to significantly reduce catch throughout New Zealand’s tarakihi fisheries. 

“Tarakihi is one of New Zealand’s favourite fish species, with around 95 per cent of commercially caught tarakihi sold and consumed domestically,” Mr Jones says.

“Warming waters are likely to have impacted the number of juvenile fish. Despite efforts to reduce pressure on the fishery, supported by industry - including catch limit reductions in 2018, 2019, and 2022 - the fishery has not recovered as well as hoped.

“Stock assessments for both the East and West Coast tarakihi fisheries indicate levels will continue to decline, which is why significant changes are proposed for these fisheries.

“On the other hand, snapper and trevally continue to do well as they respond well to warmer waters. Catch limit increases are proposed for snapper and trevally in area 2 (East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington), reflecting increasing abundance.”

The review also includes proposals for adjustments to deemed value rates on 11 fish stocks. Deemed value rates are paid by fishers on catch that exceeds their Annual Catch Entitlement.

“Once consultation closes, officials will analyse the submissions and provide me with advice. My decisions will be announced before the start of the fishing year on 1 October 2026.

“Consultation opens today and I encourage anyone with an interest in these fisheries to read the proposals and provide feedback.”

Submissions can be made online until 5pm on 24 July 2026. More information about the proposals and how to make a submission can be found on MPI’s website: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-fishery-sustainability-measures-october-2026-round

Stocks included in this review:

Deepwater – Total Allowable Catch Review

Blue mackerel – EMA 7 - West coast North Island, west coast South Island
Ling – LIN 7 - West Coast and Top of the South Island
Gemfish – SKI 3 - East Coast South Island, Chatham Islands
Frostfish – FRO 3 - East Coast South Island
Scampi – SCI 3 - East Coast South Island, western Chatham Rise  
Alfonsino – BYX 3 - East Coast South Island, Chatham Islands

Inshore – Total Allowable Catch Review

East Coast tarakihi – TAR 1E, 2, 3, 7E - East Coast North and South Island
West Coast tarakihi – TAR 1W, 7W, 8 - West Coast North and South Island
Ling – LIN 1 – Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty
Snapper – SNA 2 – East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington
Trevally – TRE 2 – East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington
Stargazer – STA 7 - West Coast and Top of the South Island
Butterfish – BUT 7 - West Coast and Top of the South Island
Shortfin eel – SFE 13 - Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere)
Pāua – PAU 7 – Marlborough
Leatherjacket – LEA 3 – East Coast South Island, Southland 
Elephant fish – ELE 3 and 5 - East Coast South Island, Southland, and Sub-Antarctic
Pāua – PAU 5D - Southland and Otago

Review of deemed value rate adjustments

East Coast tarakihi – TAR 1, 2, 3, 7 - East Coast North and South Island
West Coast tarakihi – TAR 1, 8, 7 - West Coast North and South Island
School shark – SCH 3, 5 - East Coast South Island, Southland
Parore – PAR 1, 9 – East and West Coast upper North Island 
Yellow-eyed mullet – YEM 1, 9 – East and West Coast upper North Island ...