Central Fishery Management Area
Shellfish Rules
Central fishery management area shellfish restrictions.
Shellfish species | Daily limit
per person | Minimum |
|---|
Cockles | 150 | none |
|---|
Kina (sea eggs) | 50 | none |
|---|
Mussels | 50 | none |
|---|
Oysters- Dredge* + | 50 | 58 |
|---|
- Rock & Pacific † | 250 | none |
|---|
Paua - Ordinary* | 10 | 125 |
|---|
- Yellow foot* | 10 | 80 |
|---|
Pipi | 150 | none |
|---|
Scallops- Central* + | 20 | 100 |
|---|
Toheroa # | Prohibited | Prohibited |
|---|
Tuatua | 150 | none |
|---|
All Others (combined)** | 50 | none |
|---|
* Dredge oyster, paua and scallop must be landed in the shell and cannot be shucked or shelled seaward of the mean high water mark. This does not include derdge oysters and scallops shucked onboard for consumption at sea within daily bag limits.
† Rock oysters and Pacific oysters must not be opened while they adhere to the object on which they grow.
# Toheroa must not be taken, possessed, or disturbed unless an open season is declared by the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Fisheries.
+ Divers may take an additional quotas for up to a maximum of 2 safety people per vessel.
** This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species not specifically named above, and includes paddle crab and freshwater crayfish (koura).
Measuring shellfish
- Paua: measure the greatest length of the shell in a straight line. Do not measure over the curve of the shell.
- Scallop: measure the greatest diameter of the shell.
- Dredge Oysters: must not pass through a rigid circular metal ring with an inside diameter of 58 mm.
Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA)
(Does not include snorkels)
- No person may take paua using UBA.
- No person may be in possession of paua while in possession of UBA. This includes possession in or on any vessel or vehicle.
Open season for scallops
- 15 July to 14 February inclusive.