Paua package announced

Press, 29 June 1987, Page 16

Paua package announced

Assistance for restructuring the paua fishery has been announced by the Minister of Fisheries, Mr Moyle. The package was aimed at assisting the paua harvesting sector to adjust to considerable reductions in the total allowable catch. “It will take much the same form as assistance delivered to inshore fishermen last year,” he said.

“Paua is a slow-growing but very valuable national resource that of recent time has been fished beyond the capcity of the fishery to sustain over the long term.

"We must move now to reduce stress on the fish stocks to ensure that we continue to have a resource over the long term,” said Mr Moyle. Reductions of 30 per cent would be required in some areas, notably the Chatham Islands and Nel-son-Marlborough. “Paua is not only a valuable export both in respect of its meat, its shell, and in shell products but it is a valuable recreational and "Maori fishery,” said Mr Moyle. The Ministry of Fisheries will tell paua fishermen soon about details of the restructuring package.