Fishing for blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds over the Christmas holiday period could soon be off the menu in a bid to boost falling fish numbers.
Overfishing in the Marlborough Sounds is putting too much pressure on blue cod numbers, according to Fisheries New Zealand, despite catch limitations over the last decade.
The regulator is considering extending the seasonal blue cod closure, currently in place between 1 September and 19 December, in a bid to increase the sustainability of the popular fishery.
Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on the proposal which could see the closure extended by almost a month.
“We’re considering a range of options and management tools to address overfishing and increase abundance of blue cod in the Marlborough Sounds,” says Emma Taylor, director fisheries management.
“The area sees very high levels of fishing effort, particularly in the holiday period, which, when combined with other factors such as sedimentation and marine heatwaves, is affecting the health of the fishery.
Proposals could see the opening of the season extended to either 31 December, 5 January or 15 January.
A potting survey in 2021 revealed fishing in the area was “significantly higher” than could be sustainably supported. This saw the commercial catch limit reduced.
An advisory group of tangata whenua, fishers, and local residents was also formed to identify measures to reduce fishing pressure and increase abundance in the fishery.
The group met throughout 2023 and identified several potential measures to improve sustainability and abundance for the fishery including the closure of spawning areas to fishing to rebuild spawning populations and reduction of the combined daily bag limit for finfish in the area.
“Marlborough Sounds blue cod are a taonga, and iconic for many Kiwis. We want to hear from fishers, tangata whenua, the local community, and anyone else with an interest in the fishery,” Emma says.
Submissions can be made online at mpi.govt.nz/consultations or by emailing FMsubmissions@mpi.govt.nz by 5pm on 1 December 2024.
There will be a public drop-in information session to present information and assist with making submissions at the Tasman Bay Cruising Club in Nelson on Tuesday, 12 November, 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
