Ngāi Tahu Seafood will not fish for Bluff oysters for the second consecutive year as concerns about the fishery remain.
The company said it has observed a decline in both the quantity and quality of oysters (tio) available during recent seasons.
Harvesting ended earlier than planned in 2023 and 2024, and last year the company decided not to fish during the season which runs from March to the end of August.
Ngāi Tahu Holdings chief executive Todd Moyle said given the state of the fishery and advice from mana whenua, Awarua whānau, it was the right decision not to fish for the shellfish.
"Our priority is supporting the long-term sustainability of the tio fishery and protecting it for future generations."
Awarua Incorporated Society chairwoman Pania Coote said historical patterns and local mātauraka (knowledge) showed the recovery of tio beds took time.
"The fishery has previously experienced periods of decline, and restoration requires sustained protection to allow natural regeneration and the rebuilding of resilient populations."
Awarua Rūnaka Ltd chairman Barry Bragg said the priority must be the long-term recovery and protection of the core tio beds that underpin the future of the fishery.
"We are encouraging the industry and regulators to carefully consider management approaches that reduce the pressure on key beds, including leaving primary beds undisturbed and, when harvesting resumes, potentially implementing shorter or more conservative seasons to support recovery."
Fisheries New Zealand fisheries management director Emma Taylor said the annual survey of the Bluff oyster fishery had recently been completed and the results were being analysed.
"Preliminary indications from the survey are that oyster abundance and quality is low."
This was similar to the results of last year’s survey.
There were some positive signs including little oyster mortality and large numbers of small oysters in areas of the fishery.
"This suggests strong recruitment of new oysters, and evidence of immature oysters beginning to grow through to adulthood."
It usually takes between three and five years for oysters to reach a harvestable size.
The group was working with industry stakeholders to spread the areas fished to avoid depleting numbers, she said.
Laboratory testing will be carried out shortly to confirm Bonamia prevalence and infection intensity.
The Bluff Oyster Management Company (BOMC) is the stakeholder group that ensures the sustainable management of the Bluff oyster fishery on behalf of quota owners.
BOMC Operations manager Graeme Wright said the group acknowledged the concern of the iwi regarding the fishery.
BOMC decided to proceed after careful consideration of the latest preliminary preseason survey results, Mr Wright said.
The industry would continue to closely monitor environmental factors that are likely to impact the status of the fishery, which are key to understanding overall fishery dynamics .
As a precaution BOMC proposed to implement targeted area closures.
