Pursuant to section 16 of the Fisheries Act 1996 (“Act”), the Minister for Primary Industries, after having regard to the matters specified in sections 16(1)(c), 16(2) and 16(3) of the Act, gives the following notice.

Notice

1. Title—This notice is the Fisheries (Conway River to Marfells Beach Emergency Harvest Closure) Notice 2016.

2. Interpretation—In this notice:

Shellfish means all species of the phylum Echinodermata and phylum Mollusca and all species of the class Crustacea at any stage of their life history, whether living or dead, but does not include scampi (Metanephrops challengeri).

Seaweed means all kinds of algae and sea-grasses that grow in New Zealand fisheries waters at any stage of their life history, whether living or dead.

Conway River to Marfells Beach Area means waters within the area:

1. commencing at a point on Marfells Beach at 41°43.655′S and 174°12.645′E proceeding;
2. for approximately four nautical miles in a north-north-easterly direction to a seaward point at 41°39.474′S and 174°14.876′E;
3. then maintaining a constant distance of four nautical miles from the coastline at all points until reaching a seaward point at 42°38.153′S and 173°33.378′E (taking mostly a south-westerly direction along the coast);
4. then proceeding in a west-north-westerly direction to a point on land at the Conway River at 42°36.909′S and 173°28.173′E; and
5. then following the mean high water line back to the point of commencement.

3. Commencement and expiry—This notice comes into force on 21 November 2016 at 5.00pm and expires:

1. for rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii), on 20 December 2016 at 5.00pm; and
2. for all other shellfish and seaweed species, on 20 February 2017 at 5.00pm.

4. Conway River to Marfells Beach Area closed for the taking of shellfish (excluding scampi)

A person must not take shellfish or seaweed from the Conway River to Marfells Beach Area, or possess shellfish or seaweed taken from the Conway River to Marfells Beach Area, while this notice is in force.

5. Penalty

Every person commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000.00 (as set out in section 252(5) of the Act) who contravenes any emergency measure imposed under section 16 of the Act.

Dated at Wellington this 21st day of November 2016.

Hon NATHAN GUY, Minister for Primary Industries.