Be prepared to take action when you hear about Fisheries New Zealand’s latest industry-led decision to drag a dredge across Coromandel scallop beds – ironically to survey how many  scallops are alive.

These are the same scallop beds that have been indefinitely closed to commercial and public fishing since March 2023. So it’s hard to fathom that anyone would allow a Victorian Box Dredge to plow through any remaining scallop beds within the Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.

This decision by Fisheries NZ was not made in the best interests of the environment or passing on a healthy scallop fishery to future generations, so you have the right to feel outraged.

From previous meetings with Fisheries NZ, we understood that cameras and artificial intelligence technology were going to be the only methods used to survey the vulnerable scallop beds. These innovative methods were necessary due to the scallop fishery collapse, and they are highly effective at counting scallop numbers.

Earlier reports suggest that camera surveys are 100% efficient at detecting scallops, while dredge surveys lag significantly, at around 70%.

It’s nonsense to invest millions of dollars in these new, less harmful, technologies and then revert to the status quo. Not forgetting that 84% of the public want dredging removed from the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park according to a Horizon research poll.

It’s infuriating that Fisheries NZ has allowed a dredge survey given the science and the public concerns. The only stakeholder that has consistently advocated for a dredge survey is commercial interests.

If dredging is justified for a survey, then that’s a worry for us all. Recreational scallop dredging is already banned. There is nothing to stop commercial dredging from restarting when and if the fishery reopens. After all, this is the same system that permitted overfishing and dredging on these scallop beds for decades.

Fisheries NZ’s decision is a slap in the face for Ngāti Hei, Opito Bay Ratepayers Association, and local Coromandel community members who have genuine intentions to restore the scallop beds for future generations.

These groups were even bold enough to support Ngāti Hei in establishing a rāhui closure in 2020, in the absence of action from officials, and later called on the Minister to close the fishery.

A scallop dredge survey undertaken on depleted scallop beds is just another example of the regulators bending to suit the demands of commercial fishing interests. Fisheries NZ true colours are on display, demonstrating a disregard for your interests and the environment.

Now is the time to stand up for our coastal marine environment and future generations. We encourage you to channel your outrage into action by writing to or visiting your local MP. LegaSea and the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council will continue to advocate in your best interests and hold the line that no form of commercial dredging is acceptable.