This form of local, iwi/hapū led 
management is often recognised as 
Ahu Moana. This approach seeks 
workable solutions to problems 
by combining local and traditional 
knowledge with scientific data. 
LegaSea and the NZSFC have 
long supported Ahu Moana.
But Ahu Moana isn’t a cure. It’s a 
localised treatment of a symptom, 
not a fix for the underlying decline. 
Closures by themselves don’t fix 
the management settings that let 
depletion occur in the first place.
Our fisheries are managed across 
broad stretches of coastline that 
ignore local differences in abundance. 
For example, a commercial flounder 
fisher can fish waters from the 
Waikato out west, up around North 
Cape and down to East Cape. Same 
for gurnard and mullet fishers.
The long-term solution is 
adopting a management system 
that tailors catch limits to smaller 
areas, reflecting the different 
pressures each area faces.
Until that happens, you can help 
by engaging with mana whenua to 
discuss how Ahu Moana may work 
to improve fish abundance and 
collaboration in your local area.
Kiwi anglers should 
support LegaSea and email 
your submissions to help 
restore fish and marine life. 
Photo Matt Hewetson
Feature
42  FISHING IN GODZONE MAGAZINE
EMAIL YOUR SUBMISSION 
LegaSea will be supporting the 
New Zealand Sport Fishing 
Council to make a submission 
on Whangārei Harbour scallops.
You can have your say before 
5pm Friday 18 September. 
Email your submissions to: 
FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz 
Feel free to copy them in:  
fm@legasea.co.nz
Submission

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