Fish quota reshuffle

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Monday 1st October 2001

A 20% reduction in the total hoki catch is among the changes for the new fishing year which began Monday.

Under the new regime the total hoki catch has been cut from 250,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes while the orange roughy catch in the mid West Coast area has been cut by around 75% to 110 tonnes.

There have also been cuts to oreo quotas in the east coast South Island and around the Chatham Islands, gemfish reductions around most of the North Island and a reduction in quota for the Marlborough Sounds/Nelson commercial paua fishery.

However the orange roughy quota in the upper North Island has been raised from 800 to 1400 tonnes.

Fisheries Minister, Pete Hodgson, says the aim of the quotas is to ensure as far as possible the sustainability of fisheries and the marine environment.

"These decisions follow consideration of the most recent scientific assessments and consultation with all stakeholders, including Mario, recreational and commercial fishers and environmental groups.

"Catch limits will often fluctuate under yearly review as our knowledge of fisheries continues to improve."

Mr Hodgkin says overall New Zealand's fish stocks are in reasonable shape with the quota management system putting the country ahead of fisheries management in many other countries.

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