From 1 April 2026, all fishing for red crayfish on Northland’s east coast will be banned for five years to help populations recover. On the west coast, the recreational limit drops to two per day. Packhorse crayfish can still be caught, with a limit of three per person per day, and customary gathering by marae continues as usual.

The changes aim to protect crayfish, support marine ecosystems, and restore balance along our coastline.

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