Tell us your views on crayfish
Fisheries New Zealand is considering how two crayfish stocks on the east coast of the North Island ought to be managed.
The two stocks are Crayfish 2 (CRA 2) Te Arai Point to East Cape, and CRA 4, Hawke’s Bay to Titahi Bay, Wellington.
We have the chance to tell Fisheries NZ how we want these fisheries managed. A high management target means cuts to catch levels to enable the fish stock to grow.
A lower management target may mean cuts to catch levels for a shorter period of time.
Because the scientific information on crayfish is inadequate, it is difficult to estimate how long it will take to rebuild any of the crayfish populations to a level that enables them to control kina or build nature’s ability to bounce back, ecosystem resilience.
It all depends on the priority placed on different aspects of fisheries management.
The time it will take to achieve the desired outcome will vary depending on the management target chosen by the Minister.
It could take 20 years or more to rebuild CRA 2 to a more natural level.