March 21, 2023
Scallop rāhui made long term
Fisheries New Zealand has fully closed the Coromandel scallop fishery to commercial and recreational fishing to allow it to recover.
Most of the Coromandel scallop fishery and all of the Northland scallop fishery were closed in 2021 because of sustainability concerns.
After surveys of the two remaining open areas around Hauturu-Little Barrier and in Colville Channel found further serious declines in scallop numbers, those fisheries were closed on an emergency basis, and the latest decision extends that.
Fisheries management director Emma Taylor says the closure will not affect the relatively small customary allowance, but iwi strongly support the recovery of the fishery and issuing of customary fishing permits has been limited if not completely stopped.