| Coromandel
Shellfish Closure - Announcement
Minister
of Fisheries
22
December 2004
Media
Statement
Western Coromandel's
pipi and cockles given further chance to rebuild
Fisheries Minister David
Benson-Pope has extended a closure to the harvesting of pipi and
cockles in the western Coromandel peninsula for a further two years
to allow stocks to rebuild.
"Ministry of Fisheries'
analysis suggests the continued closure will improve the availability
and size of pipi and cockles between Ngarimu and Wilson's Bays,
as well as help recognise a customary rähui (ban) in place there,"
said Mr Benson-Pope.
The Hauraki Maori Trust Board
is undertaking a monitoring programme and the Ministry is doing
surveys at Waikawau Bay to gather the information needed to determine
the best long-term management tools for the pipi and cockle fisheries
in the area.
"Further research is
needed to understand the environmental conditions that may contribute
to their decline," said Mr Benson-Pope. "The Ministry
will update signs in the area that detail the closed zone and the
duration of the closure."
Mr Benson-Pope agreed to
a request from the Hauraki Maori Trust Board for a further two-year
extension of the temporary closure after public consultation showed
local support for a further extension of the temporary closure.
This is the second extension
of the temporary closure under section 186A of the Fisheries Act,
which was initiated in 2000.
The closed area extends one
nautical mile offshore from the mean high-water mark, from a point
near the northern-most part of Wilson's Bay (at 36°53.24'S and 175°25.43'E)
to the Pupurakau Stream mouth south of Ngarimu Bay (at 37°04.49'S
and 175°30.96'E).
Extension of the temporary
closure became effective on 19 December 2004 and will expire on
18 December 2006, as notified in the New Zealand Gazette.
For further information,
contact:
Randall Bess, Ministry of
Fisheries 04 470 2621
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