New Zealand Rock Lobster harvested by members of the CRA 5 Rock Lobster Industry Association Incorporated (CRAMAC5) has been certified by Friend of the Sea. CRA 5 is a wild rock lobster fishery located on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
CRAMAC 5 represents 54 quota owners, 27 active commercial crayfishing vessels and two main processors. The bulk of the catch is exported live into Hong Kong and China.
The lobsters are caught by potting, which has a minimal bycatch and a very low impact to the seabed. Commercial fishing is regulated by the Ministry of Fisheries within the Quota Management System. The Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) is 350 tonnes per year. Size limits for Rock Lobster are specified in the Fisheries Regulations 2001, with a minimum tail width of 60mm for females and 54mm for males. Measurement devices approved by MFish are held aboard each vessel. Rock lobsters caught below these limits are returned to the sea alive.
The production chain is short as the catch is taken by an owner-operated vessel and generally landed to a processor who is also an exporter.
CRAMAC5 is very pleased and excited that it has successfully achieved Friend of the Sea certification. The certification recognises that the CRA5 commercial lobster fishery is sustainable and endorses the fisheries management and environmental practices followed by CRAMAC5 and its members. As the commercial stakeholder organisation for the CRA5 fishery, CRAMAC5 has been working closely with the CRA5 fishers to make sure their lobster resource is well-looked after and their fishing activity is well-managed and meets appropriate environmental standards. Mr. Larnce Wichman
Cramac 5 states “we are proud that our fishery has obtained international certification and thank all our members for their support.”
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director – Mr. Paolo Bray
Friend of the Sea
Tel: +39 348 565 0306
Email: paolobray@friendofthesea.org
http: www.friendofthesea.org
Mr. Larnce Wichman
CRAMAC 5
Tel: (0064) (3) 575 6877; Email: larnce@burkhart-fish.co.nz
