NZ Bluefin Tuna fishery to be closed on Thursday

17 June 2002

The Ministry of Fisheries is closing the southern bluefin tuna fishery at 11.59pm (23:59) on Thursday, 20 June 2002 until the end of the fishing year on 30 September 2002 because the catch limit is about to be filled.

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

Senior Fisheries Management Advisor, Arthur Hore said that the Ministry has been monitoring the catch of southern bluefin tuna since the season began in earnest in April. This season has been characterised by patchy fishing and the weather has had a major influence on catch rates.

The Ministry has worked with fishers and their representatives to predict trends in the fishery so that the projected time that the catch limit will be reached is as accurate as possible. Based on current catch levels, it is projected that the catch limit will be filled by Thursday, said Mr Hore.

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