Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced last week that some catch limits for southern commercial fisheries had increased, which came into effect on Monday.
Quantities of one ocean-dwelling crustacean in particular, the spiny rock lobster, would be allowed to increase under the new catch limits.
Following a review, Mr Jones said he had determined that fisheries on the south coast of the South Island, Stewart Island and Auckland Islands — included within the CRA8 quota management area — could support higher catch limits of the lobster, while remaining healthy and sustainable.
Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association chief executive Chanel Gardner said it was disappointing that Otago’s quota management area, CRA7, did not also receive an increased catch limit.
There was an "overabundance" of spiny rock lobsters in both CRA7 and CRA8.
There was just as much spiny rock lobster in Otago waters to justify an increase in the region’s catch limits.
"We’ve got the most up-to-date data, we’ve got cameras on board, it’s really important that the science stops lagging behind what’s happening.
"They just don’t have capacity at a national level to do the depth of analysis that’s required," she said.
The catch per unit of effort for Otago fishers was about 10kg per pot, and both CRA7 and CRA8 were some of the most productive cray fisheries in the country.
If catch limits to CRA7 were increased, Ms Gardner estimated export revenue could potentially double, while still maintaining a safe amount of stock to harvest.
"We’re a very different fishery from the rest of the country, so it would be nice to be treated as such.
"We’re kind of a gem in the New Zealand crown of fisheries, across a few species."
Fisheries New Zealand fisheries management director Emma Taylor said it regularly reviewed the status of the CRA7 fishery and recommended changes where appropriate.
CRA7 was assessed alongside CRA8 because the stock was thought to be biologically related, she said.
"However, we recognise there are some differences between the stocks due to migration of lobsters from CRA7 to CRA8.
"The rapid assessment update of the status of both stocks in 2023 suggested they’re in a healthy state."
Catch limits were based on scientific assessment, information from commercial and recreational fishers, feedback from stakeholders and input from tangata whenua, she said.
As part of a sustainability review this month, the government agency would monitor the area’s catch per unit of effort on an annual basis.
If it rose, then the total allowable catch limit could also rise in the following fishing year, Ms Taylor said.
