There is no change to total kahawai catch limits and to recreational and customary Maori allowances in the stretch of coast from North Cape to East Cape, following a Ministry of Fisheries review.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley announced the review findings on Thursday ahead of the fishing year start on Friday, October 1.



Kahawai is an important and highly valued fishery, says Phil.
"Kahawai are a traditional food source for customary Maori fishers, a very popular fish for recreational anglers, and a target species for commercial fishers.
"I carefully considered the best scientific and management information available as well as submissions from customary, recreational and commercial fishers and the public before making these decisions.
A small technical adjustment to kahawai fishing in the east coast (KAH1) region, however, is being made.
"The research we have suggests kahawai numbers in KAH1 are high; about 30 per cent larger than the sustainable level set out in the Fisheries Act.
"At current catch levels, kahawai numbers are set to continue growing and give more fish for everyone to catch more easily.