Fishing trawlers in the Top of the South could be allowed to take more fish from Tasman and Golden Bays as part of a Fisheries New Zealand proposal.
Fisheries New Zealand last week released its proposal for public consultation on a range of fishing catch limits around the country.
Part of the proposal includes the increase of catch limits for trawler vessels in the Top of the South.
Should the proposal be accepted, Total Allowable Catch (TAC) limits could increase for Red Gurnard, Rig and John Dory.
Catch limits would also be set for Elephant Fish, a species that previously had no TAC limit.
The proposal means limits will either stay the same or increase for these species.
TAC limits for Red Gurnard are proposed to increase by more than 100 tonnes, from 1065 tonnes to either 1176 or 1273 tonnes.
Rig could increase from 346 tonnes to either 373 or 400 tonnes, while John Dory could increase from 226 to 247 tonnes.
The proposed TAC limit for Elephant Fish is 127 tonnes.
The proposed increases come as part of a review of sustainability measures which say species with high productivities are more resilient to fishing pressure and take less time to rebuild from a depleted state than those with low productivity.
They say an appropriate management strategy for species such as Red Gurnard and John Dory is to be responsive to fluctuations in stock and either increase or decrease catch limits as stock fluctuates.
The review states that the proposed limits are sustainable particularly as they are regularly monitored.
The proposals are part of a rolling set of annual reviews to ensure sustainability for current and future generations, says fisheries management director Stuart Anderson.
"We've reviewed 13 inshore fish and shellfish stocks and 7 deepwater stocks and want your feedback on a set of options to manage them.
"Feedback helps us understand how the proposals will affect the people who use the fishery, whether they are customary, recreational or commercial fishers."
Decisions on these species will be made for the start of the next fishing year on 1 October 2019.
The next stage will consider TAC settings for snapper and flatfish such as flounder once further scientific assessments and wider multi-sector engagement has happened.
To view the full consultation documents or have your say click
here.
