Ban on harvesting marine life from rockpools goes into force

A ban on taking marine life from rockpools and coastal waters in part of north Auckland comes into force today.

The decision came after local iwi, the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust, applied for the two-year ban along the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and further north at Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay. The application was granted by Fisheries Minister, Shane Jones, in February.

It is now illegal for anyone to take seaweed, shellfish, or other rockpool sea life, including sponges, starfish, sea anemones, and sea cucumbers, from those areas.

In a statement, Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said that anyone who broke the rules could be fined between $5000 and $100,000. Items used in the offending could also be seized, including vehicles for more serious offences.

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“Fishery Officers will be at key locations to provide information to members of the public about the closure,” he said.

Minister Jones said Ngāti Manuhiri would also place a traditional rāhui over the closed areas and the same species.

The new rules are available on the free NZ Fishing Rules App and the Ministry for Primary Industry’s website.

Kina (sea urchin) are excluded from the closure and can still be taken within the current recreational fishing limits. Restrictions on taking spiny rock lobster and scallops have already been in place.