The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is backing a decision to review the commercial harvesting licences for shellfish in Ohiwa Harbour in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

The council's operating, monitoring and regulations committee meet in February to discuss concerns raised about the commercial harvesting of shellfish in the harbour.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council wants commercial harvesting licences in the Ohiwa Harbour reviewed.

The council's land resources manager, Simon Stokes, says there are two commercial licences for the taking of cockle and pipi in the Ohiwa Harbour.

'Some harvesting of pipi has occurred but no cockle harvest has been undertaken.

'Ohiwa Harbour Implementation Forum members have expressed concern as to whether there should be commercial takes of cockle and pipi in the harbour.”

He says members are concerned the sustainability of pipi and cockle beds, and the marine ecology, could be adversely affected by significant commercial harvesting.

'There is also some concern the Ministry of Fisheries consultation prior to the licences being granted was inadequate, and forum members would now like the licences reviewed by the Minister for Primary Industries.”

The proposed review would seek to better understand the issues and to ensure the shellfish beds, harbour ecology and recreational and traditional harvesting of kaimoana (seafood) from the harbour are not compromised, says Simon.

'Bay of Plenty Regional Council is an active member of the Ohiwa Harbour Implementation Forum – other members include representative from Upokorehe, Whakatohea, Ngati Awa and Tuhoe, the Opokiti District Council and the Whakatane District Council.

'The decision made at the meeting was for a joint case that would give weight to the request for a review and Council to support a joint approach.”