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October 21, 2025
In 2022, the Waikato Regional Council reviewed its Coastal Plan to enhance marine biodiversity within the Council’s coastal water boundaries. The Plan sets out how the Regional Council will manage the marine waters covering the inner Hauraki Gulf, Coromandel down to Waihi, and the west coast from Waiuku to Mokau. Once finalised, it will be ... Read more.
October 21, 2025
In October 2025, the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) agreed to prohibit destructive mobile bottom-contact commercial fishing methods including bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging across most of the Council’s coastal waters. These methods will only be permitted in select areas (see the grey area pictured below).
October 21, 2025
The new rule is being introduced under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), which gives councils powers to manage activities that damage the seabed and threaten indigenous biodiversity.
October 21, 2025
The restrictions on where commercial fishers can use destructive mobile bottom-contact fishing methods are not yet in force. Until the rule becomes part of the operative Coastal Plan, these methods can continue for the time being – subject to any appeals received that challenge the Council’s decision.
October 21, 2025
Earlier in 2025, the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones announced that he will not progress proposals to restrict destructive fishing methods including bottom trawling, Danish seining and dredging within the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. A lack of action from the central government led the Waikato Regional Council to look for solutions within their ... Read more.
