FISHERIES PLAN CHATHAM ISLAND INSHORE FISHERY

Transcription

1 FISHERIES PLAN CHATHAM ISLAND INSHORE FISHERY 2007 Blue Cod (BCO) 4 Cockle (COC) 4 Blue Moki (MOK) 4 Deepwater (King) Clam (PZL) 4 Butterfish (BUT) 4 Deepwater Tuatua (PDO) 4 Groper (HPB) 4 Dredge Oyster (OYS) 4 Kahawai (KAH) 4 Fine (Silky) Dosinia (DSU) 4 School Shark (SCH) 4 Frilled Venus Shell (BYA) 4 Sea Perch (SPE) 4 Horse Mussel (HOR) 4 Stargazer (STA) 4 Kina (SUR) 4 Tarakihi (TAR) 4 Knobbed Whelk (KWH) 4 Trumpeter (TRU) 4 Large Trough Shell (MMI) 4 Paddle Crab (PAD) 4 Paua (PAU) 4 Pipi (PPI) 4 Ringed Dosinia (DAN) 4 Longfinned Eel (LFE) 17 Rock Lobster (CRA) 6 Shortfinned Eel (SFE) 17 Scallop (SCA) 4 Sea Cucumber (SCC) 4 Bladder Kelp (KBB) 4 Triangle Shell (SAE) 4 Bull Kelp (KBL) 4 Trough Shell (MDI) 4 Karengo (PRP) 4 Tuatua (TUA) 4

2 INTRODUCTION...4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...4 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN...5 SCOPE OF THE CHATHAM ISLANDS PLAN...6 Characterisation of fisheries in the plan...9 SECTION 1: THE CURRENT SITUATION...11 THE HEALTH OF THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT IS PROTECTED...11 Oceanography...12 Trophic interactions...12 Habitat interactions...error! Bookmark not defined. Biodiversity...13 Offshore Island Biodiversity...17 Benthic impacts...17 Habitats of Particular Significance to Fisheries Management...18 Associated or dependent species...19 Protected Species...19 Other associated or dependent species...21 Other Resource Users...21 Harvest strategies...22 STOCK ASSESSMENT...22 Reef & Finfish...22 Shellfish...22 Freshwater...22 Productivity...23 Reef & Finfish...23 Shellfish...25 Freshwater...26 Sustainability Indicators...26 Reef & Finfish...27 Shellfish...28 Freshwater...29 Research...33 Total allowable catch...33 PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO REALISE THE BEST VALUE FROM THE SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT USE OF FISHERIES 35 Allocation & Use...35 Profile of Sectors...36 Commercial...36 Commercial Paua Sector...39 Commercial Rock Lobster Sector...40 Recreational...41 Customary (Tangata Whenua)...41 Non-extractive Users...41 Use and value indicators...42 Commercial...42 Use...42 Value Indicators...48 Recreational...51 Use...51 Value indicators...52 Customary...52 Use...52 Mätaitai reserves...52 Taiäpure-local fisheries...52 Temporary closures...53 Value indicators...53 CREDIBLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT...54 T ngata Whenua Input and Participation...54 Stakeholder Engagement...54 Recreational...54 Commercial...54 Environmental...54 Protecting Value

3 COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK...55 STRATEGIC COMPLIANCE GOALS...55 OPERATIONAL COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES...55 The Sectors...55 Commercial...55 Recreational...56 Customary...56 OFFENCE TYPES...56 Commercial Offences...57 Misreported Catch...57 Unreported Catch...58 Illegal Gear/Methods/Size/Area...58 Non-Harvesting Offences...59 Recreational Offences...59 Customary Offences...59 INFORMATION AND EDUCATION...60 General activities...60 Commercial activities...60 Recreational activities...61 Customary activities...61 EFFECTIVE DETERRENT...61 Monitoring and Surveillance...61 Commercial...61 Recreational...62 Customary...63 Deterrence...63 Services...63 Legislation...64 Stakeholder Measures...85 Specific Chatham Island Inshore Fishery Services...86 APPENDIX ONE - NATURE OF FISHERIES IN THE PLAN

4 Introduction EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. The Chatham Islands Inshore Fisheries Plan (the Plan) encompasses the inshore and inland waters of the Chatham Islands in Fisheries Management Area 4 (FMA 4 - South-East- Chatham Rise). The Chatham Island inshore fishery (CIF) comprises reef and fin fisheries (CRF), shellfish fisheries (CSF), seaweed fisheries (CSW) and freshwater fisheries (CFW). 2. The Chatham Islands are a unique and geographically isolated area. There is a high level of endemism amongst the species found there and the absence of some species that are found around mainland New Zealand. The uniqueness of the Chatham Islands is recognised in fisheries legislation. 3. With the exception of blue cod, rock lobster, and paua, stock assessments for CIF stocks are made with limited information. The stock assessments are limited to commercial catch trends. 4. Most of the species in the Plan are also popular targets for non-commercial fishers. In particular, paua, rock lobster, scallops, and blue cod are important for customary and recreational fishers. 5. Taonga Commercially important species recreationally important 6. Compliance issues within the CIF are mainly associated with non-reporting or misreporting of commercial catches. Occasional recreational offences occur with catches taken in excess of assigned bag limits, or below minimum legal size, particularly of blue cod. Occasional customary offences occur where the taking is not authorised or the taking contravenes the conditions of the authorisation. 4

5 PURPOSE OF THE PLAN 7. The Plan 1 is a collaborative effort between the Government, tängata whenua, and stakeholders to maximise value to New Zealanders through sustainable use of fisheries and protection of the marine environment. 8. The Plan is incomplete because it only outlines the current situation, available information, and outcomes for the Chatham Island inshore fishery from the Government s perspective. Completion of the Plan requires collaboration with tängata whenua and stakeholders to ensure the best available information 2 on the current situation is available for consideration. Stakeholder collaboration is also required to develop management objectives, assess the fishery, recommend management measures, and propose an operational plan for the future management of the fishery. 9. Management measures proposed through individual plans will be prioritised for implementation against measures proposed in other plans. The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish), tängata whenua, and stakeholders will monitor and review the Plan when it is operational. The Plan will be fully reviewed as required to update the available information, review objectives, re-assess the fishery, and develop new management measures. 10. Fisheries are one of New Zealand s most important renewable resources. As New Zealand s fifth largest export earner, management of these fisheries is critical to its economic and social well-being. Economic transformation is a priority for the Government and this is supported by its principal advisor, MFish, through its Statement of Intent (SOI) 3. The goal of the SOI is to Maximise the value New Zealanders obtain through the sustainable use of fisheries resources and protection of the marine environment. 11. A collaborative approach with tängata whenua and stakeholders is planned to achieve the goal of the SOI through the use of an outcomes framework. The three broad outcomes of the SOI are: health of aquatic environment protected best value able to be realised credible fisheries management. 12. To achieve these outcomes for a fishery, the required level of performance will be defined as standards. The desired results for each fishery, in relation to the standards, will be achieved through fisheries plans using an objectives-based approach. Management objectives will be defined for each standard. Fisheries will then be assessed to see how the existing management framework meets the objectives and standards. Where objectives and standards are not being met new management measures and services will be developed. 1 Fisheries plans approved under s11a of the Fisheries Act 1996 will be the main tool for maximising value of New Zealand s fisheries while ensuring statutory obligations are met. 2 Section 10 of the Fisheries Act 1996 requires the best available information to be used for fisheries management. 3 Ministry of Fisheries (2006): Statement of Intent, for the period July 2006 to June pp. 5

6 SCOPE OF THE CHATHAM ISLANDS PLAN 13. The Plan area encompasses the inshore and inland waters of Fisheries Management Area 4 (FMA 4 - South-East- Chatham Rise) around the Chatham Islands (Figure 1) and includes reef fish, finfish, shellfish (including crustaceans), eels, and seaweeds. The Chatham Islands are a unique area recognised in fisheries legislation and geographically isolated from mainland New Zealand. Figure 1: Map of FMA 4 Chatham Islands 14. The CIF is a multi-stock 4 fishery that is associated with the coastal areas from close inshore to the edge of the Challenger Rise (~200m) and also includes the inland waters of the Chatham Islands (Table 1). 4 Stocks are species management units. Little is known about biological stock boundaries for these species 6

7 Table 1: Chatham Island Fishery species, fishstocks, and main fishing methods Common name Species Scientific Name Maori Name Stock Reef & Finfish Fisheries Management Area Non-commercial Main fishing method Commercial Blue cod Parapercis colias Pakirikiri, Patutuki, Rāwaru BCO 4 4 Rod & line Cod potting Blue moki Latridopsis ciliaris Moki MOK 4 4 Set netting Set netting Butterfish Odax pullus Koaea, Mararī, Rarī, Tarao, BUT 4 4 Set netting Set netting Groper Polyprion oxygeneios, P. Hāpuku, Kapua, Whapuku 4 HPB 4 (Hapuku/bass) americanus Kahawai Arripis trutta and Arripis Kahawai 4 KAH 4 xylabion School shark Galeorhinus galeus Kapeta, Mangō, Manga, Tope, 4 Set netting Set netting SCH 4 Tupere Sea perch Helicolenus percoides Pohuiakaroa SPE 4 4 Rod & line Bycatch Stargazer Kathetostoma giganteum STA 4 4 Bottom trawling Tarakihi Nemadactylus macropterus Tarakihi TAR 4 4 Bottom trawling Trumpeter Latris lineata Kohikohi TRU 4 4 Set netting Shellfish Cockle, New Zealand Austrovenus stutchburyi Tuangi 4 Hand gathering COC 4 littleneck clam Deepwater (king) clam Panopea zelandica Hohehohe PZL 4 4 Deepwater tuatua Paphies donacina Tuatua PDO 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Dredge oyster Tiostrea chilensis Tio, Tio para, Tio-repe OYS 4 4 Diving Dredging Fine (silky) dosinia Dosinia subrosea DSU 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Frilled venus shell Bassina yatei Pūkauri BYA 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Horse mussel Atrina zelandica Kupa, Hururoa HOR 4 4 Kina Evechinus chloroticus Kina, Kina ariki, Kina kōrako SUR 4 4 Hand gathering Hand gathering Knobbed whelk Austrofusus glans KWH 4 4 Potting Large trough shell (surf clam) Mactra murchisoni MMI 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Paddle crab Ovalipes catharus Pāpaka PAD 4 4 Potting Paua Haliotis iris, Paua 4 Hand gathering Hand gathering PAU 4 Haliotis australis Hihiwa, Karariwha Pipi Paphies australis Pipi, Kokota, Taiawa PPI 4 4 Hand gathering Ringed dosinia Dosinia anus Tuangi haruru DAN 4 4 Hydraulic dredging 7

8 Rock Lobster Jasus edwardsii Pawharu Parts of 2, 4, Diving/potting Potting/diving CRA 6 & 6 Scallop Pecten novaezealandiae Pure, Tipa SCA 4 4 Dredging Dredging Sea cucumber Stichopus mollis SCC 4 4 Handgathering Triangle shell Spisula aequilatera Kaikaikaroro SAE 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Trough shell Mactra discors Whāngai-karoro MDI 4 4 Hydraulic dredging Tuatua Paphies subtriangulata Tuatua TUA 4 4 Hand gathering Freshwater Long-finned eel Angullia dieffenbachii Kūwharuwharu, Reherehe LFE 17 4 Fyke netting Short-finned eel Anquilla australis and Anguilla Hao, Tuna hekë, Papakura 4 Fyke netting SFE 17 reinhardtii Seaweed (SEO) Brown seaweeds PHA Lessonia Lessonia brevifolia LES 4 Hand gathering NA Bladder kelp Marcrocystis pyrifera KBB 4 Hand gathering Hand gathering Bull kelp, Chatham Island bull Durvillaea Antarctica, D. kelp chathamensis Rimurapa KBL 4 Hand gathering Red seaweeds RHO Agar weed Pterocladia capillacea PTE 4 Hand gathering NA Gigartina Gigartina altropurpurea GGT 4 Hand gathering NA Gracilaria weed Gracilaria chilensis GRA 4 Hand gathering NA (High golden) Karengo Porphyra coleana Karengo, Parengo PRP 4 Hand gathering NA Green seaweeds CHL Sea lettuce Ulva spp ULV 4 Hand gathering NA 8

9 15. Stocks that are caught in the CIF, but are predominantly caught in other fisheries, will be managed under other fisheries plans as follows: Alfonsino and blue nose Middle Depth Complex Fishery Plan Flatfish (including sand flounder, black flounder, greenback flounder, lemon sole, New Zealand sole, brill, and turbot), red gurnard, red cod, and rough skates - Southern Inshore Finfishery Plan 16. MFish recognises that those with an interest in the Chatham Island component of these fisheries are likely to want to be involved in the development of these other plans. Accordingly, MFish will make available opportunities for input and participation in those plans. 17. Other stocks that are caught in small amounts in the CIF will not be included in the CIF plan. These include octopus, which is caught as bycatch in the rock lobster fishery. These stocks will not be included in a fisheries plan until management action is necessary. Characterisation of fisheries in the plan 18. The main commercial fisheries covered in this plan are: Bottom longline fisheries for groper Target set net fisheries for butterfish and trumpeter Handgathering fishery for paua Potting fisheries for rock lobster and blue cod, and Dredge fisheries for dredge oyster and scallop. 19. Other fish stocks covered in this plan are caught mainly as bycatch species in other commercial fisheries. These include: Seaperch (mainly caught as bycatch of the blue cod fishery) Blue moki and kahawai (mainly caught as a bycatch of the set net fishery) Stargazer (mainly bycatch of bottom longline fishery), and School shark (mainly caught as bycatch of hapuku/bass and tarakihi in bottom longline, and set net fisheries) 20. There is a small freshwater eel fishery, which for the last two fishing years ( and ) consisted entirely of shortfin eels. No other freshwater species are known to be taken in the Chatham Islands. 21. There is one permit for gathering bladder kelp in the Chatham Islands. Seaweeds are on Schedule 6 of the Fisheries Act 1996, under which there is a moratorium on new permits. Seaweeds have not yet been included in the quota management system (QMS). 9

10 22. Most of the species in the Plan are also popular targets for non-commercial fishers. In particular, paua, rock lobster, scallops, and blue cod are important for customary and recreational fishers. 23. The nature of the fisheries in the Plan is described more fully in Appenix One. 10