New Zealand: East Coromandel scallop fishery closed

NZ east Coromandel scallop fishery closed. New Zealand’s east Coromandel scallop fishery has been closed following a request from the Ngāti Hei Trust. The closure covers scallop fishing in an area extending along the east Coromandel coastline from Anarake Point to Ruahiwihiwi Point, where Ngāti Hei exercise mana moana, and includes Opito Bay. Other fishing in the area can continue under existing rules. Director of fisheries management, Emma Taylor says public consultation on the request took place between April and May. “We received more than 2,000 submissions, with the majority supporting a closure. “The feedback from tangata whenua and the public reflects the results of recent scientific surveys, commissioned by Fisheries New Zealand. These highlight concerns around the sustainability of scallop stocks right across the northern scallop fisheries, including the east Coromandel area. “While addressing fishing activity is part of the picture, we also know that scallops are affected ...