An application for a mataitai, or fishing reserve, on behalf of Te Runanga o Otakou and supported by key stakeholders was received by the Ministry of Fisheries on Thursday, a move that has disappointed Southern Clams director Roger Belton.
"We don't have any difficulty with a mataitai in the Otago Harbour, but not the entire harbour. We don't think that would be appropriate."
A mataitai excludes commercial fishing, although it is possible it can be permitted.
Southern Clams had applied to the ministry for a special permit to investigate cockle harvesting on the middle banks of Otago Harbour.
The company had spent 15 months on the proposal and was eyeing the area as a possible site, Mr Belton said.
The company was aware of the mataitai proposal, but understood it would be for a smaller area around the Otakou marae, not the whole harbour.
"I don't think it is appropriate," he said.
The runanga, which set up a mataitai committee last year, had the support of recreational fishermen, Port Chalmers Commercial Fishing Co-Op, University of Otago marine sciences and the Otago Peninsula Trust.
Te Runanga o Otakou chairman Tahu Potiki said the creation of Otago Harbour as a mataitai, which could take from 20 days to two years to establish, would not stop people from fishing in the area but aimed to protect fisheries such as cockles "being plundered".
Initially considering a smaller mataitai, the runanga decided to widen its application to include the whole harbour after consultation with stakeholders, he said.
The possibility of commercial interests applying to fish in the area was a "factor".
The runanga had a responsibility to stop cockles from being plundered from the area, to ensure the resource would be available for future generations, Mr Potiki said.
Under the Fisheries Act 1996, tangata whenua may apply to the Ministry of Fisheries to establish a mataitai on a traditional fishing ground for the purpose of food gathering and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
"We wanted to talk to the community before going public . . . we didn't want a lynch mob," he said.
"We want to get the community on board . . . if we don't, it is not worth it."
The next step for the runanga is to establish a management committee, which will include scientific, recreational and commercial representatives.
For centuries, Maori had gathered cockles in the area, and local iwi were known throughout the South Island for the delicacy.
He stressed the creation of a mataitai would not stop recreational fishing in the area.
Once the co-ordinates for the proposed mataitai, which excludes port operations, were approved by the ministry it would be publicly notified.
Ministry southern marine recreational fishers advisory council member Ted Young said he supported the mataitai move.
"We don't want any commercial fishing in the area."
