45178 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Conservation

45178 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Conservation: What analysis, if any, has the Minister or any office that the Minister is responsible for received or sent about the impact of allowing fishing in High Protected Areas (HPAs)?

Hon Tama Potaka: I have received advice from the Department of Conservation on the proposal for ring net fishing in HPAs. Some of this advice is available on the Department website with the remaining advice to be proactively released soon. The advice includes analysis of the potential impacts of the provision. Recent advice also stated that due to the limited nature of the ring net fishing provision, it is expected that it will have little impact on the environment beyond the target species. Officials will be carefully monitoring these areas to inform a review of the provision in three years.