Crayfish catch limit increased

Otago crayfishers are set to cash in on increasing demand for the luxury product, after the Ministry of Fisheries announced a 45% increase in crayfish catch limits.

The changes will take effect from April 1, with the Otago crayfish season set to begin from the middle of June and finish by the end of September.

Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley said southern operators deserved to be congratulated for their management of the fishery.

"The hard decisions in the late 1990s are bearing fruit and allowing me to increase catch limits now that the stocks are healthy, well above sustainable limits, and being carefully managed."

CRA 7 (Otago) management committee spokesman Roger Bartlett said the quota increase, while not unexpected, was great news for the industry.

Last year, the industry contributed about $5 million to the Otago economy, and this was expected to double this season due to the softening New Zealand dollar and increasing demand from Asian markets, notably China and Japan.

Viewed as a luxury item, top-grade crayfish could fetch up to about $100 a kg overseas, he said.

Fiordland Lobster Company chief executive Mike Schuck, of Te Anau, said the increase in catch limits for the southern region was not unexpected and was the result of "good management".

"We wanted to rebuild it to a strong sustainable fishery . . . and I guess it showed a bit of initiative."

The Fiordland Lobster Company also operated the only crayfish processor in Dunedin, where processing of crayfish from other areas wold begin next month, he said.

While catch limits in Otago and Southland would increase, catch limits in Gisborne and Wellington/Hawkes Bay will decrease 9% and 40% respectively.

The minister said he had requested crayfishers in Gisborne follow the examples of their southern counterparts and develop a management tool "because we need to respond much more quickly to changes in lobster numbers in this fishery".

Wellington and Hawkes Bay had introduced a management tool this year aimed at helping the fishery recover.

"It is difficult having to make cuts at this time but decisive action is needed now to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fisheries," Mr Heatley said.

Catch limits

Otago (CRA 7): Up from 144 tonnes to 209 tonnes.

Southland (CRA 8): Up from 1053 tonnes to 1110 tonnes.