Reopening Whangārei Harbour to recreational scallop fishing

Tēnā koe

Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback from tangata whenua, stakeholders, and the public on whether Whangārei Harbour should be opened to recreational scallop fishing, while the wider Northland scallop fishery (SCA 1) remains closed. We are also seeking feedback on changes to the rules for scallop fishing in the Harbour, to support sustainable harvest.
 
The proposals seek to provide recreational fishing opportunities and local benefits while ensuring enough scallops remain in the water to support future spawning, recruitment, and long-term recovery of the wider scallop fishery. Proposals have been informed by preliminary survey results of scallop beds across the Whangārei Harbour.
 
The proposals and supporting documents can be found on our website HERE.
 
Fisheries New Zealand seeks your feedback on whether to:

1. Retain the current closure for scallop harvesting (the status quo) until a wider management approach for northern scallops has been developed and a broader strategy for reopening the Northland, and Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel scallop fisheries is rolled out; or
2. Allow for a limited recreational scallop fishing season within Whangārei Harbour in either November 2026 or February 2027, supported by a prohibition on dredging; and/or
3. Allow for ongoing seasonal recreational scallop fishing within Whangārei Harbour starting November 2027 or February 2028, supported by a package of changes to the scallop fishing rules.

 
Submitters may support one of the proposed options, or a combination of options 2 and 3.
 
Consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 18 September 2026.
 
Making a submission                                                                                                             
Submissions should be emailed to [email protected] . Alternatively, submissions can be sent by mail to the following postal address:
Submission on reopening Whangārei Harbour to recreational scallop fishing
Fisheries Management
Fisheries New Zealand
Private Bag 12031
Tauranga 3143
New Zealand
 
Submissions are public information
Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information being commercially sensitive or if they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.

Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested.

Nāku noa, nā
Recreational Fisheries 
Fisheries Management | Fisheries New Zealand – Tini a Tangaroa 
Charles Ferguson Tower | PO Box 2526 | Wellington | New Zealand
Web: fisheries.govt.nz

Contact us about Recreational Fisheries recreationalfisherie[email protected]

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