Shellfish

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. (see diagram).

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 seasons

Oysters: In the Challenger FMA the oyster fishery is open year round. (Rock oysters and Pacific oysters must not be opened while they adhere to the object on which they grow).

Scallops: 15 July to 14 February inclusive.

Protection of coral

Black coral: No person may take or possess black coral.

The following restrictions on taking and possessing shellfish apply to all areas, unless specified:

* 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 dredge oysters and scallops shucked onboard for consumption while at sea within daily bag limits.

• This is a combined, mixed-species bag limit. It applies to all shellfish species not specifically named above, and includes all crabs, limpets, starfish, periwinkles, whelks, barnacles and freshwater crayfish (koura).

+ Limited provision allows a diver on a vessel to gather extra bag limits of oysters and scallops for up to 2 other people acting in a dive safety capacity from that vessel.

Paua Accumulation Limits

The maximum number or amount of paua that one person can have in their possession at any one time is:

• Twenty paua being two (2) times the maximum daily bag limit of paua
• OR shucked weight (shell removed) of 2.5kgs of paua
• Whichever is the lesser amount