The fisheries minister is considering an application from a hapū of Taranaki iwi to ban shellfish collection along their coastline for two years.
A legal ban would make enforceable the customary ban (rāhui) that has spread along the coast since hapū of Ōrimupiko Pā laid the first rāhui in January.
Some 70 kilometres of coastline are under the rāhui, from just south of Ōpunakē to Paritutu in New Plymouth, after local alarm at hundreds of visitors collecting kaimoana - especially pāua - during the last two summers.
Parihaka kaumātua Mahara Okeroa said although most people respected the rāhui, legal backing under the Fisheries Act was needed to fully protect kaimoana stocks.