Minister urged to act on catch rules in crayfish crisis

A fisheries business owner has praised the Government for allowing crayfish to be released back into the sea – but says annual catch entitlements also need to be carried forward to the next fishery year.

Between 150 and 180 tonnes of live rock lobster are being held in pots and tanks, at sea and on land, after export orders were cancelled by distributors in China following the coronavirus outbreak.

On Wednesday, Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash said he had agreed that fisheries officials could allow a limited release of rock lobster back into the wild.

Nash said he was considering another request from the industry to allow catch entitlements to be carried forward to the next fishery year.

Burkhart Fisheries co-owner Trevor Burkhart said the Government should consider that annual catch entitlements (ACEs) would have already been purchased.

‘‘Because people can’t finish their season off, we need that ACE to be carried forward to the next season. You have got fish in holding pots – why would you want to throw that away if you have paid for it, if they are not going to guarantee you can catch it again?’’

Burkhart’s brother and business partner Dennis Burkhart said it was good to see the Government had moved quickly.

He said 94 per cent of their crayfish was exported to China, so they had stopped catching.

‘‘With how quick the Government has moved with this decision, I am sure they will be logical about other decisions.’’

Nash said the situation was ‘‘evolving’’ and noted the industry’s importance to the economy.

‘‘You have got fish in holding pots – why would you want to throw that away if you have paid for it?’’

Trevor Burkhart

Burkhart Fisheries co-owner