ELI is concerned to see many stocks in the current consultation round are showing significant signs of decline or collapse, yet options proposed are not always sufficient to enable recovery. In particular, some of the consultation papers present status quo options even where the material indicates that existing catch settings are causing decline.

Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) has not provided a detailed analysis of why status quo options continue to be presented even where sustainability issues have been flagged. Where the evidence indicates that current settings are not achieving the sustainability outcomes required under the Act, maintaining those settings is not a lawful or acceptable management response.

SNA 2 is a major New Zealand inshore fisheries management area for snapper (Pagrus auratus), stretching along the east coast of the North Island from Gisborne down to Wellington/Makarā.

In ELI’s view, two of the three Options as currently developed present significant risks of kina barren proliferation, as has occurred within SNA 1. Emerging science on Snapper predation on kina provides strong support for the need to avoid kelp loss to prevent ecosystem collapse.

On the 14^th July, the seafood industry is appealing against our landmark High Court win, ELI v Director-General of the Ministry of Primary Industries and others - and we’ll be there to defend it.

Many marine species have declined in the last thirty years, due in significant part, to being caught as bycatch in commercial fishing.