The livelihoods of Otago rock lobster fisherman may be affected by the halving of this year's catch limit quota, an industry spokesman says.
The Ministry of Fisheries announced yesterday the 2010-11 quota for the area from Waitaki to the Nuggets will drop from 209 tonnes to 104.5 tonnes.
The total allowable commercial tonnage will drop from 189 tonnes to 84.5 tonnes, while the customary and recreational tonnages will remain the same at 10 tonnes and five tonnes respectively.
Simon Gilmour, executive officer for the area, said yesterday the effect of the cut would not be as bad as the figures indicated because Otago cray-fishermen had caught only about 139 tonnes last season.
However, a reduction of about 50 tonnes would mean fewer rock lobster could be caught, something which might affect the livelihoods of fishermen.
The Otago rock lobster industry was worth an estimated $8 million-$10 million last year and employed between 50 and 60 fishermen and processors.
About 18 boats fished out of Moeraki, Karitane, Careys Bay and Taieri Mouth. Most also fished for other species as well as rock lobsters, and boat owners might have to concentrate more on that part of their business, Mr Gilmour said.
The drop would also affect throughput at Otago's only rock lobster processor, the Fiordland Lobster Company's plant at Sawyers Bay, he said.
Company chief executive Mike Schuck could not be reached for comment last night.
The dramatic quota drop was not a surprise to Otago fishermen, Mr Gilmour said.
Catch limits were recalculated annually using a formula based on the weight of the catch from every lobster pot lifted aboard a boat.
Because medium-sized lobsters were returning the best prices last season, fishermen were throwing back small and large lobsters, meaning the net weight of each pot was lower.
"The fishermen accepted that a result of high grading at sea would be a drop in the quota. But the drop does not mean the fishery resource is in poor heart."
Discussions were under way on whether the ministry might adopt a different formula for calculating quota, Mr Gilmour said.
The ministry yesterday announced a 34% increase in the rock lobster quota in the Wellington/Hawkes Bay area, and a continuation of last year's catch limit in the Gisborne area.
The catch tonnages for southern bluefin tuna, southern blue whiting and surf clams were also increased.
