Pursuant to regulation 22 of the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999, the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries gives the following notice.

Notice

1. Title

This notice is the Fisheries (Declaration of Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve) Notice 2023.

2. Commencement

This notice comes into force on the 28th day after the date of its notification in the New Zealand Gazette.

3. Declaration of Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve

(1) This notice declares the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve.

(2) The area of the mātaitai reserve is the area of South Island fisheries waters within the following lines:

1. starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at Homminy Point at 43°58.447’S and 168°34.065’E, then
2. proceeding in a straight line in a northerly direction for approximately 725 m to a point offshore at 43°58.057’S and 168°34.025’E, then
3. proceeding in a straight line in a north-easterly direction to a point offshore approximately 675 m to the north of Jackson Head at 43°57.216’S and 168°37.601’E, then
4. proceeding in a straight line in a south-easterly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at Neil’s Beach at 43°59.742’S and 168°39.457’E, then
5. proceeding along the mean high-water mark in a generally north-westerly direction to the starting point.

4. Conditions relating to Commercial Fishing in the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve

(1) Commercial fishing for rock lobster is excepted from the general prohibition on commercial fishing within the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve.

(2) The use of commercial rock lobster holding pots is excepted from the general prohibition on commercial fishing within the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve.

(3) Commercial fishing vessels can anchor in the Ōkahu Mātaitai reserve.

(4) Fish taken commercially from outside of the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve may be processed within the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve.

(5) Fish, taken commercially from outside of the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve may be landed within the Ōkahu Mātaitai Reserve.

(6) In this clause –

rock lobster means spiny rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) and packhorse rock lobster (Jasus verreaux).

fish means all species of finfish and shellfish, at any stage of their life history, whether living or dead.

Dated at Wellington this 3rd day of July 2023.

ROBERT GEAR, Acting Director Fisheries Management, Ministry for Primary Industries (acting under delegated authority).