Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the proposals would give the fishery a chance to recover. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Consultation has opened on a proposal to cut crayfish catch limits off Northland's east coast.
Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said options included seasonal or year-round closures to commercial harvesting of spiny rock lobster, as well as reduced daily recreational limits for spiny rock lobster and packhorse rock lobster.
The proposal would give the fishery a chance to recover, so in the long term there'd be more and bigger crayfish, Jones said.
Healthy populations of crayfish helped keep kina numbers in check, so they did not destroy vital kelp forests, he said.
In May, Jones said the proposal would be "controversial".
"I know that closing down crayfish over the Christmas holiday period will be quite a controversial decision, so the engagement is going to be very, very tricky," Jones said.
Anyone wanting to submit on the plans has until September 22.
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