27175 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries

27175 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: Further to Oral Question No7 on May 15th, does he consider maintaining bottom trawling in the Gulf support the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry itself, particularly when key commercial species are facing functional extinction and if so how and if not why not?

Hon Shane Jones: Bottom trawling is an important method employed by the fishing industry and should be retained to support long-term economic sustainability. I am advised that 27 percent of the Hauraki Gulf is already closed to bottom trawl and Danish seine fishing methods, with a further 11.5 percent proposed to be closed by the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. Where there is evidence of sustainability concerns for fish stocks, I have taken action, including implementing a full closure of the inner Gulf to commercial and recreational spiny rock lobster fishing and introducing other measures to mitigate urchin barrens.