February 16, 2020
China crisis sparks ACE move for rock lobster
Fisheries New Zealand is proposing to allow rock lobster fishers to carry forward some or all of their uncaught Annual Catch Entitlement of ACE into the following fishing year, which begins in April.
The market has been thrown into turmoil by the outbreak of Coronavirus in China during what would be the peak of the season for supply and price.
Last week Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash last week said fishers could return some live fish back to the ocean.
Fisheries Management director Stuart Anderson says fishers generally buy ACE from quota holders at the start of the fishing year and plan their activity to ensure they catch what they have paid for.
Public consultation on the propose closes on February 24.
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