R¯ahui placed on scallop fishery
The decline in scallop numbers and a lack of action from government, has prompted a small Coromandel town to put a ra¯ hui on scallop harvesting over the summer period.
In September eight organisations cowrote a letter to David Parker, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, calling for the Government to take action on depleted scallop beds around the Coromandel Peninsula, and more particularly the eastern seaboard Opito and Kuaotunu Bays.
This comes after an ‘‘onslaught of anecdotal evidence’’ from locals and experienced divers saying that the once abundant seabeds, which the area is known for, appear barren.
After a lack of response from government, the frustrated group have taken matters into their own hands, putting a voluntary ra¯ hui on the delicacies, which locals hope will give the ecosystem a much needed ‘‘rest’’.
Nga¯ ti Hei kaumatua Joe Davis said people have been aware of the depletion of scallop populations due to years of ‘‘rape and pillage’’ for a long time.
‘‘Our scallop fishery is suffering. Scallops are being found deeper and deeper out, and they’re harder to get,’’ Davis said.
‘‘If we had a good easterly, scallops used to wash up on the shores. As Ma¯ ori we saw that as a gift from Tangaroa (the god of the sea), but we haven’t seen that in the last five or six years.
‘‘The finger is pointing at the dredging, and the sea bed just needs a rest from everyone.’’
The ra¯ hui was put in place by Nga¯ ti Hei during a ceremony yesterday.
As well as Nga¯ ti Hei, Opito Bay Ratepayers Association, the Mercury Bay Sport Fishing Club, Tairua Pauanui Sport Fishing Club, Whangamata Ocean Sports Club, New Zealand Underwater Association and Spearfishing NZ, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea are calling for change.
At this stage the ra¯ hui is a voluntary protection, Davis said, but they may look at applying for an official ra¯ hui in the coming months.
The eight organisations involved have made a promise to launch a programme aimed at restoring stocks, starting with a snapshot survey on how many scallops remain in the bay. The survey results, which will be available in the new year, will provide more up to date data on population numbers.