PROPOSED EXTENSION TO THE TEMPORARY BLUE COD AMATEUR FISHERY CLOSURES IN MILFORD & DOUBTFUL SOUNDS
The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) consulted on a proposal to extend the existing two year closures of the amateur blue cod fisheries in Milford and Doubtful Sounds in Fiordland. Submissions closed on 12 March 2007. A decision was made to extend the closures for a further two years.
Final Advice Paper
Nine submissions were received on this proposal, all unanimously supporting the extension of the closures.
Download the Final Advice Paper:
Fiordland Blue Cod Final Advice Paper (PDF 386KB)
Executive Summary
- The Fiordland Marine Guardians (the Guardians) propose that the existing two year closures to amateur blue cod (Parapercis colias) fishing in Milford and Doubtful Sounds be extended for a further two years. The current closures are due to end on 29 June 2007.
- The Guardians, as the Guardians of Fiordland’s Fisheries & Marine Environment Inc., originally proposed the existing closures. They were concerned about localised depletion due to pressure from fishing. The Guardians’ members come from various groups including commercial and recreational fishers, tangata whenua, charter boat operators, scientists and environmentalists.
- Blue cod stocks in the closed areas have been monitored during the existing closures, but no baseline data are available for either area prior to the closures. The Guardians consider the extension necessary both to provide a better opportunity to monitor the impact of the closures and to allow more time for stock recovery to take place.
- MFish’s initial position is to support the proposed closure for a further two years from 30 June 2007 to 29 June 2009.
Proposed Extention to Blue Cod Amateur Fishery Closures (PDF file, 194KB)
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