Make a Submission!
The crayfish population in Crayfish 3 (CRA 3) waters, from East Cape south to Wairoa River, is in trouble and catches need to be reduced. Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) is consulting on significant changes to the Total Allowable Commercial Catch and allowance set aside for all other mortality caused by fishing. The allowances for recreational and Maori customary fishing will remain the same.
Current Total Allowable Catch settings for CRA 3 –
| Total Allowable Catch | 244 tonnes (t) |
| Total Allowable Commercial Catch | 156 tonnes |
| Māori Customary allowance | 20 tonnes |
| Recreational allowance | 8 tonnes |
| All other mortality caused by fishing allowance | 60 tonnes |
In CRA 3, commercial fishers have a concession, allowing them to land male rock lobster that are 52 mm and 53 mm tail width during June, July, and August, smaller than the recreational minimum legal size (54 mm).
The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council and LegaSea support:
- A precautionary reduction to the catch settings.
- A review of the crayfish concession.
FNZ estimates the CRA 3 fishery is below a level that can provide for sustainable levels of fishing, and that overfishing is occurring.
This FNZ review provides an important opportunity for the Minister to reduce catch limits, address long-standing management issues, and rebuild crayfish populations to levels that support ecosystem resilience and future generations.
Submission deadline is 5pm on 28 January 2026.
Resources:
Review of sustainability measures for CRA 3. Proposal document. Fisheries NZ