Make a Submission!

Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) is consulting on significant changes to red rock lobster and packhorse lobster management in Northland, Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Plenty including area closures and recreational daily bag limit reductions.

These proposals are in response to the increasing numbers of kina barrens and loss of kelp forest ecosystems along the east coast of the North Island.

Years of mismanagement, excessive harvesting, and declining rock lobster numbers have had widespread impacts on people and the environment. FNZ’s proposals are wide ranging but your views are important as these decisions will have the most impact on recreational fishers.

In December 2024, New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC) and LegaSea submitted on a suite of management measures proposed by FNZ on kina barren management in CRA 1, on the east and west coast of Northland.

The NZSFC and LegaSea supported a closure of the east coast of Northland in CRA 1 to red rock lobster harvest and the development of a recovery plan which would include measures to support reopening the fishery while continuing to rebuild rock lobster stocks.

We do not support reductions to the recreational daily bag limit until commercial catch limits are reviewed.

NZSFC and LegaSea are finalising their position on each of the proposals before making a submission. Use our easy submission form below to make sure your voice is heard.

Submission deadline is 5PM 29 September 2025.

Resources:

Summary of proposals – Fisheries NZ

Rock lobster fishery management – Fisheries NZ discussion document

Joint recreational submission – 2024 CRA 1 review