NEW BYLAWS FOR NEW ZEALAND MARINE RESERVE

New bylaws for New Zealand marine reserve.

The new bylaws for the Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve in Mahia, New Zealand, came into operation yesterday (11 December).

Director of fisheries management for Fisheries New Zealand, Stuart Anderson, says the bylaws have been put in place at The Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve in Mahia, New Zealand, to help the recovery of species important to tangata whenua and to allow for the sustainable use of fisheries resources in the area.

“Commercial fishing is already excluded within the Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve,” says Mr Anderson.

“Under these new bylaws, recreational fishers will also no longer be able to take cockles, conger eel, deepwater clam, freshwater eel, karengo seaweed, mussels, packhorse rock lobster, pāua, pipi, sea cucumber, seahorse, surf clams, tuatua, and beach cast seaweed.

“There will also be a seasonal closure and daily bag limit on spiny rock lobster (crayfish, kōura) and kina. Recreational fishers will also be banned from using loops to take spiny rock lobster and using underwater breathing apparatus to take any species.

“Vulnerable and traditionally important areas, like the Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve, benefit from bylaws like these to support the revitalisation and rebuild of fish abundance for future generations.

“The bylaws have been put in place as part of a joint effort with the tangata kaitiaki/tiaki (customary fisheries managers) appointed for the Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve,” Mr Anderson says.

Mahia Māori Committee Chairman Paul Ratapu says the gazetting of the new bylaws for the Horokaka Mātaitai reserve is the result of significant effort over several years by the tangata kaitiaki/tiaki, Fisheries New Zealand, and the wider Mahia community.

“These bylaws are an important part of the Horokaka Mātaitai Reserve Management Strategy which aims to marry mātauranga Māori customary practices with New Zealand fishing regulations to revitalise the moana at Mahia, Mr Ratapu says.

“The Mahia Māori Committee is thankful to the many people who have contributed to achieving this important milestone.

“We want to give a special mention to Sandra Mauger and Alicia McKinnon of Fisheries New Zealand, Duane Culshaw from the Wairoa District Council and Oliver Wade of the Hawkes Bay Regional Council,” says Mr Ratapu.