Seasonal ban on red rock lobster in Kaikōura

The Kaikōura Marine Guardians, in conjunction with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, have requested a temporary closure of the rock lobster fisheries in the Kaikōura Marine Area. The request has been made under section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996.

The requested closure would prohibit taking of rock lobster from 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026. Your feedback is specifically sought on the suitability of these dates. It is intended to give rock lobster populations an opportunity to rebuild in the area while a wider review of management settings for the CRA5 (Canterbury/Marlborough) rock lobster stock is underway.

Proposed closure area

The proposed closure covers approximately 1,521 square kilometres and includes all the South Island fisheries waters within the area defined as Te Whata o Rakihouia i Te Tai o Marokura – Kaikōura Marine Area in Schedule 1 of the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act 2014.

This area extends from the mean high-water mark out to 12 nautical miles offshore and covers a stretch of coast running from Clarence Point southwards along the mean high-water mark to a point 300 metres north of the mouth of the Conway River.

Fisheries New Zealand is inviting written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the fish stock concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area concerned. The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday 18th May 2026. Submissions should be emailed to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Primary Industries website here.