Issue date
Marine life is returning to Maunganui Bay on the Cape Brett Peninsula in the Bay of Islands but it needs to be remembered the area is closed to all fishing (except for gathering kina) until October 13, 2018 under section 186a of the Fisheries Act 1996.
The area was first closed to all fishing except kina in December 2010 for a two-year period. Ngati Kuta and Patukeha ki Te Rawhiti, the two resident hapu, requested a further closure to allow depleted stocks in Maunganui Bay to continue rebuilding. They have maintained a traditional rahui (closure) over Maunganui Bay since March 2009, due to their concern about the depletion of fish stocks.
No one can fish there, but it’s become a fantastic place to snorkel and dive to see abundant marine life.
Maunganui Bay is also the site of the wreck of the HMS Canterbury. Ngati Kuta and Patukeha purchased the wreck as part of their commitment to help restore the fishery.
Fines up to a maximum of $100,000 apply to anybody caught breaching the Rahui.
See here for more details.
