Following consultation, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries has imposed a temporary fisheries closure and fishing method prohibition at Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru Bay, Ngunguru River, Horahora River and surrounding areas (Rehuotane Ki Tai).
The fisheries closure will be in effect from 5 February 2024, and applies to cockle, garfish, mussel, octopus, pāua, pipi, rock lobster, rock oyster, sea cucumber, seahorse, starfish, tuatua, and several species of crab and sea snail.
The fisheries closure excludes the following species:
- Pipi and cockle in the Ngunguru Estuary. The estuary is already closed to the take of pipi and cockle by the Fisheries (Ngunguru Estuary Cockle and Pipi Harvest Closure Notice 2015)
- Asian paddle crab.
The method prohibition will be in effect from 5 February 2024 and prohibits fishing with nets within Tutukaka Harbour, Ngunguru River and Horahora River (including Ngunguru and Horahora estuaries). The method prohibition excludes the following nets:
- Danish seine net
- Trawl net
- The use of a landing net to secure fish.
