The catch limit for mussels in the Mataitai Reserve at the base of Mauao/Mount Maunganui is reduced to 25 per person per day from Thursday, January 14.
The previous daily maximum was 50.

The Ministry of Fisheries' map of the Mataitai Reserve.

The bylaw effecting this change was gazetted by Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley late last year.
'The reduction in catch limit stems from a longstanding drive to sustain the green lipped mussel population in the region,” says Tauranga Moana Fisheries Iwi Committee chairman Brian Dickson.
The decision was made by Tangata Kaitiaki, who has the responsibility to manage harvesting within the Mataitai Reserve, by implementing appropriate bylaws on seafood catch limits, catch size and harvesting methods.
'With the holiday season upon us and many visitors coming to Mount Maunganui, the message Tangata Kaitiaki are conveying is, 'Don't forget to leave some kaimoana for your mokopuna,” says Brian.
This is closely aligned with the theme of the Ministry of Fisheries' summer awareness campaign, ‘Every Fish Counts'.
The reduced bag limit will be monitored and enforced by fishery officers, says Ministry field operations manager Brendon Mikkelsen.
'We will draw fishers' attention to the new maximum number and won't hesitate to warn or prosecute anyone taking more than the bag limit,” says Brendon.
'Those breaking the rules can be subject to a heavy penalty. I encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity to 0800 4 POACHER.”

SunLive reminds readers that there is a ban currently in force on collection of all shellfish in the Bay of Pleny, due to high levels of toxicity.