Fisheries New Zealand has opened public consultation on a proposed temporary shellfish harvesting closure along part of the Otago coast near Moeraki. Anyone with an interest in the fishery is encouraged to put their views forward before the deadline.
The consultation follows a formal request from Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, asking that a defined section of local coastline be closed to shellfish harvesting for two years. The request has been lodged under section 186B of the Fisheries Act 1996, the provision that permits temporary closures where they support tangata whenua in exercising customary non-commercial fishing rights.
If approved, the closure would prohibit the taking of all shellfish, including crustaceans, within the specified area for the full two-year period.
The driving concern behind the request is fishing pressure on local shellfish beds, particularly tuaki, commonly known as cockles. Cockles carry considerable cultural significance for coastal communities, and temporary closures are a recognised mechanism for giving stressed or declining populations room to rebuild. Removing harvesting pressure for a set period aims to allow shellfish numbers to recover while safeguarding the customary gathering practices that remain important to the area.
The proposed closure covers approximately 1.3 square kilometres of coastal fisheries waters. The northern boundary begins near the northern end of the Moeraki Boulders Kaihinaki Walk, running south along Moeraki Beach to the headland at the eastern edge of Onekakara Bay. Offshore, the closure extends 500 metres from the coast, taking in the main nearshore shellfish habitat. A detailed map of the proposed closure area has been released alongside the consultation documents.
Consultation opened on 4 March, and written submissions will be accepted until 5pm on Monday 20 April 2026. Submissions can be emailed to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz.
Recreational fishers, local residents, and those with customary fishing interests are all likely to hold views worth hearing. For those who spend time on the Otago coast, this consultation offers a practical chance to help shape how the fishery is managed in the years ahead. Submissions close at 5pm on 20 April 2026.
