NZ BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERY TO BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY

14 June 2001

The Ministry of Fisheries is closing the bluefin tuna fishery from noon on Saturday, 16 June, 2001 until the end of the fishing year on 30 September, because the catch limit is about to be filled.

New Zealand's annual quota of bluefin tuna is 420 greenweight tonnes. This is set under a regulation which gives effect to New Zealand's agreement under the Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.

The Ministry's Nelson Fisheries Manager, Dr Peter Todd said MFish has been monitoring the catch of bluefin tuna on a weekly and daily basis. Based on current catch levels averaging more than 17.7 tonnes a day the catch limit would be filled by Saturday, said Dr Todd.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Christine Bowden
Ministry of Fisheries
Nelson