Bylaws for nine mātaitai reserves along the West Coast will support local communities and kaitiaki to protect local fisheries for today’s fishers and future generations, says Fisheries New Zealand Manager Inshore Fisheries South, Allen Frazer.
Mr Frazer said the new bylaws were made by the tāngata tiaki/kaitiaki (guardians) of the mātatai reserves, with the goal of reversing the depletion of key fish stocks, making the local marine system healthier, and ensuring there is plentiful kaimoana in these areas in the long term.
“The rules are different for each of the Ngāti Māhaki Mātaitai, but include reduced daily catch limits for some species, a 70 mm maximum tail width for spiny rock lobster, prohibitions on taking seaweed and some shellfish, and the introduction of vessel limits,” he said.
The Ngāti Māhaki Mātaitai reserves are a network of 9 mātaitai near Haast, which were established in 2011 and 2012. The locations of the nine mātaitai are:
- Okarito Lagoon (pictured)
- Manakaiaua/Hunts Beach
- Mahitahi/Bruce Bay
- Paringa (Knights Point to Buttress Point)
- Tauparikaka (Tauperikaka Point to Fox Creek outlet)
- Popotai Taumaka/Open Bay Islands
- Okuru/Mussel Point
- Okahu/Jackson Bay
- Tauneke/Barn Bay
Mātaitai reserves are customary fishing areas that recognise the relationship between tangata whenua and their traditional fishing grounds. They allow customary and recreational fishing and can include bylaws that are proposed by the tangata kaitiaki/tiaki (guardians).
The bylaws are subject to public consultation and ultimately approved by the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries.
Outside of the Mātaitai reserves the normal Challenger Area rules continue to apply.
Fishers can help Fishery Officers inspecting their catch by keeping a record of where they have been fishing. This can be recorded on vessel chart plotters or shown in geolocated photographs.
“Fisheries New Zealand wants to thank the tāngata tiaki, kaitiaki, local communities, and everyone who submitted as part of the public consultation on these bylaws,” said Mr Frazer.
All the bylaws come into force today (1 October). View the rules, and maps of each mātaitai, on MPI’s website: Challenger area fishing rules.
