The government is taking action to prevent the stripping of rock pools’ sealife in North Auckland.
Over 100 Whangaparāoa residents protested on Saturday against busloads of people stripping rock pools of everything from crabs to sea cucumbers.
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said he’s weighing bans and an education campaign to curb the practice.
Jones said most beachcombers are migrants, emphasising the need for an educational campaign.
He has requested urgent advice from Fisheries New Zealand on addressing the over-harvesting, which is currently being prepared. Jones noted that the state could enforce a rāhui, a temporary ban on access.
“We need to ensure that when we introduce these prohibited measures, that not only are they going to be effective, but we don’t create too many unwanted consequences because this particular problem is attributable to unvetted immigration,” Jones explained.
For University of Auckland marine biologist Andrew Jeffs, New Zealand’s growing ethnic diversity has increased pressure on species not traditionally harvested here.
“People have different tastes in what they like to eat and enjoy,” Jeffs said. “Harvesting from the shore of fresh seafood material is something that they enjoy.”
He said it’s about managing the activity to avoid environmental damage, with communities or the government collaborating with harvesters to allow enjoyment without harm.