People are being invited to have their say on the proposed temporary closure of the eastern Coromandel coast to the harvest of scallops.

Ngati Hei Trust has requested a temporary closure to the eastern Coromandel scallop fishery.

The request is for a two-year closure, says a statement on the Ministry of Primary Industries website.

Ngati Hei believe the closure will recognise and provide for the customary management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of their non-commercial fishing rights.

It's also hoped that the temporary closure will allow time for scallop stocks in the area to replenish and increase in number and size, says MPI.

'Temporary closures and restrictions on fishing methods recognise and provide for tangata whenua customary fishing rights and management practices,” says MPI.

'The closures apply to recreation, commercial, and customary fishing.

'Anyone can request a temporary closure for up to two years, but the legislation was designed for customary use.

'To be approved, the Minister of Fisheries must consider the temporary closure will benefit tangata whenua.

'The laws around temporary closures are in section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.”

The proposed closure includes the waters around Repanga/Cuvier Island, Ahuahu/Great, Mercury Island, Ohinau Island, the Alderman Islands and Whakahau/Slipper Island.

See below for a more detailed description of where the proposed closure will be.

People wanting to have their say on the proposed temporary closure have until 5pm on May 17 to get their submissions in.

Submissions can be emailed to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

A map from MPI showing the area of the proposed closure.

The proposed closure area

The proposed temporary closure covers all that area of New Zealand fisheries waters enclosed by a line:

• starting at a point on the mean high-water mark at the northernmost extremity of Anarake Point (at 36°40.945'S and 175°36.320'E); then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately north north-easterly direction to a point offshore (near Repanga/Cuvier Island) at 36°25.346'S and 175°41.679'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately north-easterly direction to a point offshore (near Repanga/Cuvier Island) at 36°22.534'S and 175°47.288'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately east south-easterly direction to a point offshore at 36°24.839'S and 176°01.044'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately south south-easterly direction to a point offshore at 36°46.499'S and 176°10.612'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in an approximately southerly direction to a point offshore (approximately south-east of the Alderman Islands) at 37°03.137'S and 176°12.669'E; then
• proceeding in a straight line in a west south-westerly direction to a point on the mean high-water mark at Ruahiwihiwi Point at 37°06.822'S and 175°53.413'E; then
• proceeding along the mean high-water mark to the starting point.