National Blue Cod Strategy released

National Blue Cod Strategy released

Fisheries New Zealand has today released the National Blue Cod Strategy, which takes a proactive approach to the management of the blue cod fishery.

Manager of Inshore Fisheries Steve Halley says the strategy improves the way we manage our blue cod fishery to ensure we have abundant and sustainable fisheries for the future.

“This is a new approach to managing one of our most important shared fisheries that has involved fishers from across New Zealand from the very start,” says Mr Halley.

“The strategy builds on concerns people had about their local fisheries provided to us during public meetings and online surveys to create a national approach to better managing the blue cod fisheries more generally.

"It was great to see so many people coming forward to the 18 public drop in sessions and completing the online surveys to have their say.

“We would like to thank all the people who took the time to fill out the survey or came along to one of our drop in sessions,” Mr Halley says.

“Fisheries New Zealand intends to consult in early 2019 on specific rule change options that are driven by the strategy. During consultation we want to meet with fishing clubs and other groups in key blue cod fishing areas where people can speak to us directly before any changes are made, and hear from all those with an interest in this important fishery.

“Look out for the consultation document on the Fisheries New Zealand webpage from late January, where you will also find details on where and when the public information sessions will be held,” Mr Halley says.

The full strategy document is available on the Fisheries New Zealand webpage: www.fisheries.govt.nz/bluecod

ENDS.

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