What's the plan?
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) wants a National Blue Cod Strategy to:
- provide an overarching, consistent management framework
- improve fisheries under pressure
- maintain and enhance well-performing fisheries.
Over time, the strategy will review all aspects of the blue cod fishery across the whole of New Zealand. But we'll start with the South Island so we can deal with some priority management concerns.
We want your help
MPI will soon be asking for your feedback and opinions about your local blue cod fishery. Whether you're a recreational or commercial fisher or tangata whenua – we want to hear from you when public engagement starts in the second half of 2017.
Your input is important so that we can:
- understand your views on the problems facing the blue cod fisheries
- get your help to develop and test solutions.
Why we need a strategy now
Blue cod is highly valued by all fishers and tangata whenua. That is especially the case in the South Island where it is an iconic marine fish species. Blue cod is highly desirable because it:
- supports a high-value commercial fishery
- is popular among recreational fishers.
There are some current and potential management issues created by:
- increasing fishing activity
- a changing environment.
MPI wants to work with you now to get in front of these issues. We want to ensure an effective and more consistent management approach so that these iconic fisheries can be enjoyed now and in the future.
We look forward to hearing from all of those who have an interest in the future of the blue cod fishery when we begin public engagement later in 2017.
Stay informed
We'll let you know about meetings and other ways you can be involved as soon as they're confirmed. You can find out about our progress with the strategy on this web page or:
Or follow one of our recreational fisheries Facebook pages:
Who to contact
If you have questions about the blue cod strategy, email info@mpi.govt.nz