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December 16, 2022
Regional council forced to control fisheries
Adam Gifford
Posted On December 16, 2022
Rahui will be placed around parts of the Northland Coast after the Environment Court upheld a hapu-backed challenge to the absence of fishing controls in Northland Regional Council’s Regional Plan.
Ngāti Kuta and Te Uri o Hikihiki worked with Forest & Bird and Fish Forever on the challenge, with the final decision expected in February.
Once the rahui are in place there will be no commercial or recreational fishing allowed around Mimiwhangata peninsula and between Maunganui Bay/Deepwater Cove and Oke Bay in the Bay of Islands.
Commercial bulk harvesting of fish is also prohibited in a new area around Rakaumangamanga (Cape Brett) to a depth of 100 metres.
Exceptions to the no-take rules include kina harvest and activities mostly associated with restoration, research and tikanga such as customary fishing.
Northland Regional Council chair Tui Shortland said it was important council now works with iwi and hapū in the implementation areas.
She says the regulation of recreational or commercial fishing locations is not a function council has undertaken previously.
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