Just another example of MPI's 'worlds best' fisheries management. Let commercial overfishing deplete the stock to the point of collapse, then close it to both commercial and recreational fishing so it can rebuild. How often do we ever see recreational daily limits get increased when compared to the increased TACC's handed out to the commercial fleets once any stock starts to rebuild? That's a very rare thing! MPI/government seem to be of the same mind as the commercial fishing industry - hammer away at the stocks and make as much short term gain as you can because a $1 today is worth more than a $1 tomorrow. That way we can make sure that the recreational community doesn't get any more of the stock than we can avoid them getting.

The composite graph of shellfish harvests was obtained from the Ministry of Fisheries web site for each of the fisheries listed. It shows how all of our shellfish fisheries have collapsed to near extinction and that cockles are soon to follow. Note that most of the fisheries have been managed under tight control, but even so, collapsed. Note also that some fisheries have had respite which didn't result in a recovery. Ask yourself why a nation would allow its most precious fisheries to collapse like this? Obviously there is a new and unexpected threat at work. You and I now know what that is, but the fisheries scientists don't.

I have had the scary experience of having a dredge go past me while diving.....pretty destructive stuff.

Those figures obviously proof of a non sustainable industry