People with coastal properties can expect to see more trawlers operating offshore this summer. That’s because Shane Jones, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, has just increased the catch limits for more than 12 different fish stocks between Northland and Foveaux Strait.

“Excessive increases to the total allowable commercial catch for snapper, kingfish, Jack mackerel, rig, leatherjackets and elephantfish will ultimately result in more trawling. Our marine ecosystems are already under significant pressure from warming waters, excessive harvest and land based run-off. The last thing we need to be doing is inflicting more damage on the seabed,” said LegaSea Project Lead Sam Woolford.

The Minister’s decision to increase catch limits is not surprising. Jones, ex-chairman of Sealord, has previously and publicly articulated his intentions to increase New Zealand's seafood exports.

“The consequence of increasing catch limits is more trawling. The science shows how damaging trawling is, yet the Minister has effectively given the go-ahead to increased trawling. It’s obvious that the decisions weren’t made in the long-term interests of Kiwis and the marine environment, especially our endangered Māui dolphin and seabirds”, said President of the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, Scott Macindoe.

Amongst the 20 fish stocks reviewed, west coast snapper, kingfish, and jack mackerel have some of the most significant TACC increases.

LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council raised concerns in July that Fisheries New Zealand's proposed large increases to commercial catch limits would inevitably mean more bycatch of species already under pressure such as trevally, red gurnard, John dory and tarakihi.

“It’s about looking at the ecosystem from a bird's eye view to understand the full impacts that an increase in catch may have on the entire ecosystem, not just a couple of species. Unfortunately, the outdated Quota Management System works on a single-species level,” added Sam Woolford.

Fisheries New Zealand did not provide the Minister sufficient advice on the impacts that increasing the catch limits will have on depleting other species. Due to this lack of information, recreational interests encouraged the Minister to make precautionary decisions to prevent long-term damage to fish populations.

“We all want to pass on a healthy fishery to our children and their children and that means transitioning to more selective fishing methods and protecting the seabed - longlining is a low-impact alternative to trawling,” added Scott Macindoe.

The Fisheries Act requires the Minister to take into account any past, present or future effects of fishing on any fish stock and the marine environment. While the use of destructive bulk harvesting methods is still permitted under the Quota Management System, broader consideration needs to be given to all the sea life that will be affected now that the Minister has increased these catch limits.

Risky decision for west coast snapper

An increase in the commercial catch limit for west coast snapper could put Māui dolphin, seabirds and other fish species at risk, for very little gain.

“The 640 tonne increase to the total allowable commercial catch comes with an unwanted side effect of increased trawling effort. For years we’ve been advocating for more longlining and less trawling because longlining is a more efficient method for catching the fish you want while causing less damage to the seabed,” said Stephen Harper, Vice President of Counties Sport Fishing Club.

Snapper populations on the west coast of the North Island (SNA 8) are showing promising signs of recovery after 30 years of depletion. Today the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones used this to justify his decision to significantly increase the total allowable commercial catch (TACC) limit for snapper in the SNA 8 area.

“Just because the snapper numbers have increased doesn’t give the Minister a reason to risk fishing them back down so quickly. We want our children to grow up with a fishery that is healthy and that means protecting the seabed so it can sustain all west coast fish stocks,” added Stephen Harper.

LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council did not support any of Fisheries New Zealand’s proposed increases to the SNA 8 TACC due to concerns a large increase would inevitably mean more bycatch of other species such as trevally, gurnard, John dory and tarakihi.

“The Minister’s decision sends a clear message – if there’s more snapper on the west coast they should be commercially harvested. We don’t know much about the stock status of other species such as gurnard and trevally, but allowing indiscriminate fishing to continue is a concern. Fisheries New Zealand have made it clear that these other species do not take priority over exporting more snapper across the ditch to Australia,” says Sam Woolford, Project Lead of LegaSea.

Fisheries New Zealand did not provide the Minister sufficient advice on the impacts that increasing the TACC will have on the abundance of other species. Due to this lack of information, recreational interests urged the Minister in July to approve a modest catch increase and then assess the snapper stock in three years’ time.

“In 2021 David Parker made a brave decision to only increase the west coast snapper limit for commercial fishing by 300 tonnes and review it in three years. That decision has contributed to a healthier fishery today. Our local fishers are disappointed that the current Minister has not acted in the long-term interests of our kids or the environment,” added Sam Woolford.

Māui dolphin populations could also bear the consequences from the Minister’s decision. The endangered dolphins have recently been sighted outside of the trawl exclusion zone along the west coast of the North Island where trawlers are permitted to fish.

The SNA 8 fisheries management area extends from North Cape down the west coast to Porirua, Wellington. It is the second largest snapper fishery in the country.

- LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council