26/01/2025
Important: CRA 2 Crayfish Proposal – Your Voice Needed!
Message from NZSFC
Hello Members
We’re reaching out to highlight a critical issue that could affect not just the Hauraki Gulf and east Northland but potentially set a precedent for other coastal areas across New Zealand. Fisheries NZ has proposed increasing commercial catch limits for crayfish in CRA 2 (from Te Arai Point to East Cape, including the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park). This area has already been under severe strain, with crayfish populations in parts of CRA 2, like the Hauraki Gulf, declared “functionally extinct” as far back as 2016.
Both the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea strongly encourage fishers and concerned Kiwis to submit feedback to Fisheries NZ opposing this proposal. While this may seem focused on CRA 2, the outcomes could have implications for the management of other fisheries and marine ecosystems throughout the country.
We ask for your help in passing this message on to your members. Submissions close at 5 PM, Wednesday 29 January 2025, so time is of the essence.
Why does this matter?
• Crayfish are vital to marine ecosystems. They help control kina populations, which, if unchecked, can devastate kelp forests and create kina barrens.
• Crayfish numbers remain critically low in CRA 2. The scientific methods Fisheries NZ has relied on for this proposal have been called into question by independent experts, who recommend a more precautionary approach.
• Commercial export markets dominate demand. Crayfish fetch high prices overseas, but the long-term environmental and public costs of overfishing outweigh these short-term profits.
What can you do?
• Share this information with your club members and encourage them to make a submission.
• Submissions are quick and easy here. https://legasea.co.nz/action/campaigns/protect-our-crayfish-have-your-say/
The health of CRA 2 and our marine environment needs your support. By standing together, we can advocate for sustainable management and better decision-making for future generations of fishers and Kiwis.
Ngā mihi,
Mike Plant
Operations & Communications Lead
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council
PS: Let’s not underestimate the importance of submissions. Even a few thoughtful sentences can make a difference. Thanks again for your unwavering support for helping to protect our precious marine life!
