Feedback sought on Whangārei Harbour scallops

The public’s views are being sought on whether to reopen some scallop fishing in Whangārei Harbour after a four-year closure, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on proposals to allow some fishing in the harbour following a new survey which indicates scallop levels within Whangārei Harbour may now support a limited recreational fishery,” Mr Jones says. “That information is in line with reports from locals who are seeing good numbers of scallops in the area, and is consistent with surveys in 2024 of two of the main scallop beds in the harbour.” Whangārei Harbour has supported kaimoana gathering for generations. It is part of the Northland scallop fishery (SCA 1) which was closed to scallop fishing in 2022. At the time of the closure there was evidence of scallops in the harbour itself. However, as a precaution scallop harvesting was prohibited throughout all of SCA 1 where there was evidence of sustainability issues. “The new survey information confirms some scallop beds in parts of the harbour have good numbers of scallops that could sustainably support limited recreational harvest, so now is a good time to get the community’s