Roughy catch sizes up

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 2

Roughy catch sizes up

PA ' Wellington The Minister of Fisheries, Mr Moyle, yesterday announced temporary increases in allowable orange roughy catch sizes for some fishermen. Vessels with a catch history could now take a minimum of 100 tonnes. The hew level also applied to vessels demonstrating an investment in or commitment to the fishery, said Mr Moyle. Previously, fishermen could take varying amounts under the total allowable catch system, aimed at conserving and maintaining the resource,

which applies to the fishery.

Some of the larger companies which were not allocated fish in some areas would now also receive quotas in other areas.

The announcement follows up a report looking into the orange roughy, alfonsino, and bluenose allocations for the 1985-86 fishing year. Mr Moyle said he was satisfied that the new allocations would not put too much pressure on the orange roughy fishery. “I want to emphasise that the increases are for one year only,” he said.