Certain species banned from Auckland and Coromandel tidal areas

A ban on gathering several marine species from the intertidal zones of Auckland and Coromandel will begin on 1 November. The restrictions cover beaches, rocky shores, and rockpools from the mean high-water mark to where the water is two metres deep. This area includes Auckland’s east and west coasts, Waiheke Island, and the Coromandel.

The closure prohibits taking marine invertebrates such as limpets, mussels, cat's eyes, chitons, periwinkles, starfish, and anemones. However, certain species remain available to harvest under specific catch limits, including cockles, crabs, kina, octopus, oysters, pāua, pipi, rock lobsters, scallops, sea cucumbers, prawns, squid, and tuatua.

New daily limits will apply to species outside the intertidal zone to prevent overharvesting from shifting to subtidal areas. These limits include 10 crabs, one octopus, 50 prawns or shrimps, five sea cucumbers, and 10 squid per person. Additionally, the daily limit for green-lipped mussels outside the zone will decrease from 25 to 10, and a new limit of 10 per day applies to any shellfish without its own specific limit.

The government is developing an infringement regime so fishery officers can issue instant fines. Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft noted that officers will use discretion, stating, “tamariki exploring the rockpools with a bucket and spade will not face punishment for their curiosity”. The rules will remain in place until revoked by the Oceans and Fisheries Minister.

Where reports differ

• One report lists the new daily limits for crabs, octopus, prawns, sea cucumbers, and squid, while others focus on the mussel limit reduction

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, The Post, 1News and Otago Daily Times.