Hoki catch limit raised

The hoki catch will be increased by 20,000 tonnes from today, Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has announced.

It was estimated the increase would bring in more than $29 million in extra export earnings, he said yesterday.

Raising the commercial catch limit will bring it to 110,000 tonnes.

Heatley said it had been as high as 250,000 tonnes, but was reduced to its current level of 90,000 tonnes in 2007 to allow the fishery to rebuild.

"The latest scientific research and monitoring shows a substantial increase in hoki stocks," Heatley said.

"The scientific modelling shows a larger increase in hoki catches could have been justified, but I am taking a cautious approach to make sure we keep the stock at target levels over the long term."

Heatley said the hoki fishery would continue to be closely monitored.

Catch limits are moved up and down on advice from the Ministry of Fisheries to take into account changes in the abundance of a fish stock and to make sure fishing is kept at sustainable levels.

The Green Party said that the move to raise the hoki catch was irresponsible.

"The Government has made a rash decision to fish for short-term cash, rather than long-term sustainability," said co-leader Metiria Turei.

"This decision may damage our fish exports, and fishing jobs, becausethere are already international concerns about the sustainability ofhoki."

Turei said the fishery was recovering, but only slowly, and it was far from healthy.

"It is naive to presume all is well again and raise the quota so soon." NZPA