Information
Species scientific name: Jasus edwardsii
FAO area: 81
Fishing method: Pot
Audit
Fishery description
New Zealand – Pot – Jasus edwardsii – FAO 81 (Pacific, Southwest)
Fishery client: CRA 5 Rock Lobster Industry Association Incorporated (“CRAMAC5”).
Fishing area: FAO 81, Canterbury/Marlborough known as CRA5.
Fishing vessels: The Company has a fleet of 26 vessels.
Vessels audited on site as fleet samples: 70894; 901093; 901176; 44197; 900734; 63064.
Fishing method: Pot.
Certified species: Scientific name: Jasus edwardsii;
Common name: Red Rock lobster.
Management summary
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) manages New Zealand’s deepwater fisheries under a national fisheries plan. The Rock lobster fisheries operates within the New Zealand Fisheries Act (1996), which fully encompasses the legal and administration framework for fisheries management, licensing of commercial operations, and contains provision for Quota Management System (QMS), compliance monitoring and enforcement. Size limits for Rock Lobster are specified in the Fisheries Regulations 2001 (SR 2001/253). The minimum tail width regulation specifies 60mm for females and 54mm for males. Under the QMS a yearly catch limit – the total allowable catch – is set for every stock. MPI rigorously monitors the amount caught compared to set catch limits with financial penalties for commercial fishers who catch more than their entitlement in a year. The company is operating with a catch certificate issued by MPI.
Stock status summary
There is a substantial amount of data on Rock Lobster collected by the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SEAFIC) and the New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council (Rock Lobster Industry Council), in conjunction with the Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) and Government Research Agencies. These data show that stock and fishing intensity are deemed to be well below the maximum rate of fishing mortality (Fmsy), indicating that the stock is not overexploited. Thus, stock is assessed to be above the biomass that enables a fish stock to deliver the maximum sustainable yield (Bmsy), confirming that the stock is not overfished.
Bycatch / discards
Bycatch information is collected on the Catch Effort Landing Return (CELR) forms and the company developed log sheets. The normally bycaught species are not on the IUCN Red List as endangered. Bycatches are at extremely low levels.
Habitat Impact
Marine Protected Areas are clearly identified on maps that are pre-programmed into Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and/or Global Positioning System (GPS). Warning systems prevent vessels drifting into these areas. Potting is a benign fishing method and has minimal impact on the seabed.
Social Accountability performance
The fleet complies with the human rights and labour regulations of New Zealand.
Conclusion with reasons for approval
The fleet complies with Friend of the Sea requirements, without any major non-conformities.
