Alarm at plan to up hoki catch limit

Hoki catch limits could be increased under proposals by the Fisheries Ministry, a move labelled "phenomenally risky" by a conservation group.

Forest & Bird says consultation on whether to raise hoki catches for the second time in two years, after eight years of cuts will further damage New Zealand's reputation. However, the industry says the fishery's rebuilding is a success story backed up by scientific research showing a recovery in numbers.

Ministry deepwater fisheries manager Aoife Martin said public input was being sought on whether to either increase the hoki catch limit by 10,000 tonnes or keep the limit as it is now.

Deepwater group chief George Clement said the increase would be worth between $12 million and $15m, but the industry had not decided whether to back an increase or keep the status quo. The catch was raised last year for the first time in a decade by 20,000 tonnes to 110,000 – earning the industry $152m.

Forest & Bird marine advocate Kirstie Knowles said the hoki fishery was under the spotlight and if the limit was raised again it would send a message that New Zealand had not learnt its lesson from the years catch limits were reduced. "It's phenomenally risky to our international brand and reputation. The ministry is sending clear signals that they're not going to take a precautionary stand."

Last year, the New York Times said in a front-page article that cuts to New Zealand's hoki catch limits were bringing the valuable export into disrepute on sustainability measures.

Mr Clement said the criticism was ill informed. "For hoki, there has only been good news."

Ms Martin said the science behind the hoki proposals, as well as new plans for some orange roughy fisheries, was based on a $20m research programme into the marine environment. Projections for the hoki fishery showed the proposals were sustainable.

The ministry is also calling for submissions on two orange roughy fisheries. Public submissions on the proposed limits close on August 4.

- © Fairfax NZ News