New Zealand rock lobster harvested by members of the CRA 5 Rock Lobster Industry Association Incorporated (CRAMAC 5) has been certified by Friend of the Sea.
CRA 5 is a rock lobster fishery located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. CRAMAC 5 represents 54 quota owners, 27 active commercial crayfishing vessels and two main processors. The bulk of the catch is exported live into Hong Kong and China.
The lobsters are caught by potting, which has minimal bycatch and a very low impact to the seabed. Commercial fishing is regulated by the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries within the quota management system. The annual total allowable catch is 350 metric tons.
Size limits include a minimum tail width of 60 millimeters for females and 54 millimeters for males. Measurement devices approved by MFish are held aboard each vessel. Rock lobsters caught below these limits are returned to the sea alive. The production chain is short, as the catch is taken by an owner-operated vessel and generally landed to a processor who is also an exporter.?
“We are proud that our fishery has obtained international certification and thank you to all our members for their support,” said CRAMAC 5’s Larnce Wichman.
