New Zealand reduces tarakihi catch limits to support sustainability

New Zealand Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced a reduction in catch limits for tarakihi stocks to promote fishery recovery and long-term sustainability.

The new measures include a 20 percent reduction in commercial limits for the combined eastern tarakihi fishery and an approximately 55 percent reduction for the western fishery. Additionally, a nationwide recreational daily limit of 10 tarakihi per person has been established.

These decisions follow formal reviews of 22 fish stocks and are based on scientific data, catch information, and climate impacts. Officials will monitor the fisheries closely, with a new scientific stock assessment for the east coast planned for 2027 and an updated assessment for the west coast scheduled for 2028.

While tarakihi limits are being reduced, the Minister noted that catch increases were implemented for other species where evidence suggested sustainable harvesting is possible, including snapper, trevally, leatherjacket, frostfish, and blue mackerel.