ROCK LOBSTER
The commercial rock lobster fishery is New Zealand’s third biggest seafood export earner.
Rock lobster are caught commercially using baited pots. Once caught, most are held in temperature-controlled aquaria before being airfreighted “live” to export markets.
New Zealand's spiny rock lobster fishery is managed by strict quotas which allow only a set amount of spiny rock lobster to be taken commercially each year.
The fishery is also controlled by size restrictions: for a lobster to be of legal size, the width between the primary spines on the second segment of the tail must be greater than 54mm for a male lobster and 60mm for a female.
TOUR ITINERARY
Monday, March 13
Arrive in Auckland at dawn
Shuttle to Copthorne Harbourcity Hotel
Rest, get acclimated, look around waterfront,
lunch (on your own)
3:00pm
Introductory Session and Reception
Tuesday, March 14
6:15am
Bus pick up at Copthorne to Leigh
6:45am
Breakfast at Auto Barn
8:00am
Observe Leigh Fisheries (includes
history of Leigh Fisheries)
10:00am
Observe/Discuss Marine Reserve
(weather permitting glass
bottom boat ride)
Lunch with fishermen3:15pm
Arrive at Copthorne; free time until
evening
5:30pm
Reception at Sanford
Seafoods (local industry and
others)
Wednesday, March 15
5:30am
Board Bus, Attend Auckland fish auction
7:00am
Return to Hotel for Breakfast
9:00am
Visit Sanford Seafood for Discussions and Tour
11:00am
Visit Moana Pacific Seafoods
Lunch
5:30pm
Flight to Wellington
6:30pm
Arrive in Wellington
7:00pm
Bus to Bay Plaza Hotel
Dinner (on your own)
Thursday, March 16
Breakfast at Hotel
8:30am
Meet with Ministry of Fisheries policy
and science staff
11:30am
Participate in National Rock Lobster Working Management Group(NRLMG) meeting
Lunch with NRLMG, Seafood Industry, Council Bldg
1:45pm
Free time - visit Te Papa Museum or Hotel drop off
3:30pm
Discussions with Seafood Industry Council staff followed by informal hosted reception
7:00pm
Group Dinner in Wellington with local invitees, Bay Plaza Hotel
Friday, March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Breakfast at Hotel
9:00am
FISHSERVE Data Services(at SeaFic)
10:30am
Aetearoa Fisheries, Ltd
12:30pm
Lunch hosted by AFL
1:30pm
Visit Te Ohu Kia Moana
3:30pm
Board Bus - Free time
5:30pm
Dinner, Cambridge Hotel(others may join us)
7:30pm
Board Bus to Airport
8:55pm
Flight to Nelson (3/4 group)
9:15pm
Flight to Nelson (1/4 group)
Board Bus to Hotel: Best Western
Chelsea Park Motor Lodge Or
The Kingsgate Motel
Saturday, March 18
Breakfast at Motel
9:00am
Depart from Marina - Boat trip to view
scallop fishery enhancement
12:30pm
Lunch and presentation at Awaroa Lodge
4:00pm
Board Bus at marina to Motel
5:20pm
Board Bus to barbeque social and dinner with local hosts at Mfish Building
Sunday, March 19
Breakfast at Motel
9:00am
Visit Sealord and other Nelson fisheries sites
11:00am
Bus to Rutherford Hotel,
Summary Session, meeting and lunch,
Rick Boyd & Chris Dewees
Next steps and evaluation
2:00pm
Bus to airport Flights to Auckland and USA
