A ban on collecting certain shellfish in parts of the Hauraki Gulf has been extended for another two years, to help local populations recover.
The closures stop people from taking mussels, pāua and packhorse rock lobster within one nautical mile of Waiheke Island, while cockles cannot be gathered at Umupuia Beach in East Auckland. In Coromandel, the areas of Te Mātā and Waipatukahu are also closed to the collection of cockles, mussels, oysters and pipi.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the extension followed a request from local iwi groups, including Ngāi Tai Ki Tamaki, Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust and Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust. These groups are part of the Pou Rāhui Research Project, which combines traditional Māori knowledge with scientific methods to help restore important marine species in the area.
Jones said the closures were a practical way to protect shellfish for future generations, while also helping train young people in traditional skills and data collection. The extended rules form part of a wider effort to restore shellfish populations across the upper North Island, alongside similar two-year bans introduced earlier this year around Whangaparāoa Peninsula, Kawau Bay and Ōmaha Bay.
The extended closures come into effect on Friday 7 August. Fisheries New Zealand said education would remain an important part of the plan, with officers focusing on helping beachgoers understand the new rules. The public has also been reminded to check local regulations before collecting shellfish, as rules can vary depending on species and location.
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