Slashed orange roughy quotas 'bad for firms'

By PAULA OLIVER

The "massive" reductions in orange roughy quota announced yesterday could cost the country's largest fishing companies tens of millions of dollars.

Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson has reduced catch levels of several species, but the biggest impact will be felt from heavy reductions to the orange roughy catch.

The haul from the East Cape fishery, operated by Moana Pacific Fisheries, Sanford and Sealord, will be cut from 2500 tonnes to 200 tonnes.

Mr Hodgson said the fishery was very depleted, and operating at just 14 per cent of its original size.

To be considered sustainable, a fishery must be at least 30 per cent of its original size.

Moana Pacific Fisheries chief executive Bruce Young disputed the figures last night, and said the cuts in East Coast alone would cost $16.8 million.

"It's a 92 per cent reduction, which is massive, and we think it's because he's taken the most conservative view of the fishery. In the end, it comes down to jobs and dollars, and they're important."

The cuts were "a major blow for the industry."

Orange roughy quota has also been cut in the mid-East Coast, from 2100 tonnes to 1500 tonnes.

The Challenger Plateau fishery has been effectively closed, with a reduction from 1425 tonnes to one tonne.

Mr Hodgson said he had taken economic impacts into account, but a significant reduction was necessary to stop further decline and give the fisheries a chance to recover.