Snapper plan accepted

Recreational and traditional fishers views were sought for the new Snapper 1 management plan. Carey Gordon with a 3.2kg snapper. Supplied photo.

The first collaborative long-term plan for the future management of New Zealand's most valuable snapper fisheries is being approved today by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

'The Snapper 1 Management Plan is the result of more than two years hard work by the SNA1 Strategy Group, which is made up of members from the customary, recreational and commercial fishing sectors,” says Nathan.

'The fishery includes Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki Gulf and the eastern coast of Northland, and is one of our most iconic inshore fisheries.

'It's pleasing to have a range of perspectives sitting around the table and coming up with a long term plan for maximising the benefits for everyone.”

A draft plan was released in September this year and went out for public discussion, including public meetings and hui.

The final report has a strong focus on improving fishing practices, minimising waste and gathering accurate information. Recommendations include:

  • Aiming to achieve a biomass target of 40 per cent of the unfished state by 2040, with an aim of 30 per cent by 2025
  • A review conducted by 2021 with updated stock information
  • Educate all fishers on ways to avoid juvenile fish and increase survival rates of snapper released
  • Close monitoring including analysis of catch levels by all sectors.

The plan also for the first time acknowledges the three snapper populations; Eastern Northland, Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty.

The snapper populations in the three areas have different characteristics, including the number and size/age range of fish, growth rates, the likely rate of rebuild, the carrying capacity of the environment, and fishing pressure.

It means the stocks can perform differently from each other. The 2013 stock assessment indicates that the East Northland and Hauraki Gulf populations appear to have been rebuilding up to 2005, while the Bay of Plenty population has been growing at a lesser rate.

Current management measures apply to the overall SNA1 stock and fishery. Although not agreed as a priority, the Group acknowledges that area-based refinements to management measures could be considered if substantial advantages could be anticipated.

New information that will help determine any benefits of dividing SNA1 into separate stocks for management purposes may be provided from the tagging survey that will begin in 2016, but there are technical and legal difficulties in sub dividing SNA1 into sub-areas.

'I want to thank the members of this group for working constructively on this plan. It is the first time a joint approach like this has been taken by the users of this important fishery,” says Nathan.

The group was chaired by Sir Ian Barker QC with three members each from the commercial, recreational and customary sectors. Officials from MPI and NIWA scientists also supported the group.

'Establishing this SNA1 Strategy Group was an important part of the changes I announced in 2013 to continue the rebuild of the Snapper 1 stock for future generations.

'The aim is for this report to be a living document so that people can continue to input and give feedback. An advisory group with representatives from all sectors will continue the group's work.”

A full copy of the report is available at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/document-vault/13801

The recommended Management Plan has explored the different sector interests and tried to cater for them all, to the extent possible and practicable within the existing statutory provisions.

The Group has worked collaboratively to develop a framework for managing the SNA1 fishery into the future to achieve outcomes that will benefit all sectors.

Achieving the outcomes will require an ongoing process of monitoring, information sharing, dialogue between sectors, and a shared responsibility across all users and managers of the resource.

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1 comment

Throw the big ones back

Posted on 07-12-2016 07:46 | By Johnney

We should be keeping the smaller fish for the pan and throwing back the breeders as shown in the picture.


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