Pukerua Bay fishing ban reinstated

ROSS GIBLIN/ Dominion Post

BAN REINSTATED: Fish stocks, especially shellfish have been under immense pressure at Pukerua Bay so a fishing ban has been re-introduced in the area.

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A fishing ban has been re-instated at Pukerua Bay in a bid to rebuild plundered paua and other shellfish stocks.

The local iwi, Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, working with the Fisheries Ministry in 2002, placed a rahui (temporary closure) on fishing at Pukerua Bay for four years.

Fish stocks had started to replenish, and the ministry declined the runanga's wish to extend the rahui after it was uplifted on December 16 last year.

The runanga said that since then, fish stocks, especially shellfish, had been under immense pressure. The ban had now been extended till June 7, 2009.

Runanga resource consent management officer Graeme Hastilow said the re-establishment of the rahui was a great achievement.

"Fishing of paua over Christmas has really impacted on the success of the initial rahui. We will be looking at more long-term fisheries management solutions for Pukerua Bay, to enable kaimoana stocks to rebuild and establish themselves."

During discussions about re-establishing the rahui, Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said he was happy to support Ngati Toa kaitiakitanga and help to rebuild the value of the customary fishing area.

Pukerua Bay Residents Association member Tim Bright said paua and other shellfish stocks were virtually fished out during Christmas, destroying all the work achieved by the previous rahui.

The no-fishing zone extends along the foreshore from the southern end of Pukerua Bay to the southern end of Centennial Highway and about 100 metres out to sea.

Two signs have been erected along the foreshore outlining the extent of the rahui.

- © Fairfax NZ News