Hapu¯ calls for extended ban on pa¯ ua
Public feedback encouraged on the issue
Nga¯i Hapu¯ o Waima¯rama has asked the Ministry for Primary Industries for a further two-year temporary ban on taking of blackfoot pa¯ua at Waima¯rama.
Fisheries New Zealand has invited the public to submit written feedback regarding extending the ban, encouraging anyone interested in the species or the effects of fishing in the area concerned to submit a comment.
Nga¯ti Kahungunu chairman Bayden Barber said, “The first twoyear ra¯hui was a good set-up but was not long enough for local iwi to create a robust monitoring programme.”
In the request to MPI, Nga¯i Hapu¯ o Waima¯ rama explained they wish to extend the ra¯hui so the pa¯ua can continue to recover adequately in terms of numbers and size.
The local hapu¯ believes the current temporary closure has enabled pa¯ua stock to replenish itself and maybe increase in number and size, but this needs to be proven by reliable data.
To provide this, iwi have been planning to set up a programme to monitor stocks.
In another two years, the iwi will be able to start a monitoring programme to keep track of the ra¯hui on blackfoot pa¯ua, explained Barber.
Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries management Emma Taylor said during the current ra¯hui local hapu¯ had made steps towards initial monitoring of the stock.
They had been in conversation with MPI Fisheries about planning and conducting surveys over 12 months to determine the current condition, numbers, and sizes of the pa¯ ua within specified grid areas of the rohe moana.
Nga¯i Hapu¯ o Waima¯rama has been seeking assistance to plan and carry out pa¯ua surveys, Taylor explained.
“The results of these surveys will help inform future management,” she said.
During the two-year ra¯hui, MPI fishery officers continued to patrol the area and have not issued any infringements for taking pa¯ua.
“Which suggests people in and visiting the community respect the rules,” Taylor said. “Another two-year closure would further support rebuilding this important fishery.”
In its request for a further ban, Nga¯ i hapu o Waima¯rama said since the area was closed to all pa¯ua fishing, the pa¯ua have been able to rest, and stocks have started to recover.
Despite nearby beach communities claiming pa¯ua stocks not protected by the ra¯hui are being depleted at accelerated rates, Taylor said she is unaware of any official reports, and MPI does not have evidence to support any claims.
“We are aware of the potential for localised depletion outside the ra¯hui area and will continue monitoring the fishery. If there is evidence of a sustainability concern, we will act accordingly.”
MPI continues to monitor the coastline and encourages anyone aware of any suspicious fishing activity in the area to call us on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or email: ncc@mpi.govt.nz.