# Government cracks down on rockpool vandals Date: 8 Oct 2026 Released by: Hon Shane Jones ## MediaRelease.co Summary New summer fishing rules will tighten controls on taking marine life from rockpools along the Auckland and Coromandel coasts. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft said fossicking has stripped some accessible habitats. Ministers want clearer limits so the pastime does not wipe out species for the next generation. ## Original release Major fishing rule changes will come into force this summer to stop people from stripping rockpools of marine life on the Auckland and Coromandel coastlines, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft say. “Fossicking in a rockpool is a Kiwi tradition. It’s a pastime that’s been enjoyed by generations of New Zealanders. However, it’s being exploited by a selfish few who are taking far too much kaimoana. This behaviour is endangering these fragile ecosystems and putting at risk our beloved coastal areas. “For this reason, I am closing a substantial area of the intertidal zone in the Auckland and Coromandel regions to recreational fishing for a wide range of species including cat’s eyes, mussels, and limpets. I am also reducing the bag limits for other species,” Mr Jones says. Harvesting in the intertidal zone on beaches, rocky shores and rockpools, the area in and around where the tide comes in and goes out, will be heavily limited with exceptions in place for only certain species that can be taken sustainably. A 2m depth limit will be used to define this area, meaning areas that are accessible at low tide will be covered by the ban. “This will protect a broad range of species that are vulnerable to overharvesting and other pressures, while keeping access to highly valued species that can sustainably be caught in the intertidal zone, such as rock lobster and squid. “I have also decided to introduce a daily limit of 10 for all other shellfish without their own limits outside of the intertidal zone. This is to reduce the risk of overharvesting activity shifting to offshore or subtidal areas,” Mr Jones says. The changes will be in place until revoked by the Oceans and Fisheries Minister, with continual monitoring and review to determine their impact and whether further measures are needed. The Government is also working rapidly to set up an infringement regime for the closure so Fishery Officers can hand out instant fines to lawbreakers, Ms Marcroft says. “It is clear that a robust but proportionate penalty response is required. Fishery Officers will continue to exercise discretion. For example, tamariki exploring the rockpools with a bucket and spade will not face punishment for their curiosity. But where it is obvious our rockpools are being cleared out of all marine life through greed and selfishness, authorities will act,” Ms Marcroft says. The moves respond to community concerns about overharvesting pressure and the sustainability of marine life in rocky shore areas and rockpools. “The overwhelming majority of submitters during public consultation wanted far-ranging and meaningful restrictions. While I am reluctant to close our coastlines, it is a necessary step,” Mr Jones says “Kiwis should be able to enjoy our coastline and gather kaimoana but we have a responsibility to make sure fisheries resources are protected for all to enjoy. This broad prohibition, with some sensible and evidence-based exceptions, strikes that balance.” “The actions we are taking will protect these fisheries for the future. They build on and complement existing site-specific shellfish closures, including the restrictions I placed over the northern Hauraki Gulf earlier this year to protect intertidal fisheries and rockpools that had come under significant pressure.” Full details on the new restrictions can be found on MPI’s website. Editors’ note: Intertidal zone - The closure covers an intertidal area of coastline including Auckland’s east and west coast, Waiheke Island, and Coromandel. It extends from the mean high-water mark to a point offshore where the water is 2m deep. - The intertidal closure prohibits the take of marine invertebrates except for cockles, crabs, kina, octopus, oysters, pāua, pipi, rock lobsters (spiny and packhorse), scallops, sea cucumbers, prawns/shrimps, squid, and tuatua. These species are managed through species-specific controls, including catch limits and other restrictions. - The closure will protect a broad range of species including cat’s eyes, chitons, limpets, periwinkles, and mussels. Daily limits - Catch limits will apply to species and areas that remain open to harvesting in the Auckland Coromandel area. - The existing daily limits for cockles, kina, oysters, pāua, pipi, rock lobsters (spiny and packhorse), scallops, and tuatua will be retained. - New daily limits for all species of crabs (10), octopus (1), prawns/shrimps (50), sea cucumbers (5) and squid (10) have been set. - A new daily limit of 10 shellfish has been set for any species without its own limit in the Auckland Coromandel area (for example, barnacles, chitons, cat’s eyes, limpets, periwinkles, starfish). - The daily limit for green-lipped mussels is reduced from 25 to 10 per person, while mussel take will be prohibited in the intertidal closure area. Existing closures - Existing shellfish closures will continue to apply, such as the east coast scallop fishery, temporary closures in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and the inner Hauraki Gulf spiny rock lobster closure. - It’s important that people check the rules for their area. Enforcement tools Intertidal zone closure - From 1 November, Fishery Officers will be educating people about the rules in the intertidal closure and people breaking the rules could face prosecution. - Infringement notices are an important tool for deterring offending while supporting proportionate and effective enforcement. - The Government is progressing regulatory changes so Fishery Officers can issue fines for breaching the intertidal restrictions. Prosecution will remain available for more serious offending. Daily limits where harvesting is allowed - The new daily limits will restrict take of shellfish species that remain open to harvesting. The existing infringement regime for daily limits will continue to apply – these are fines ranging from $250 to $500. - Fishery Officers will use their discretion to determine an appropriate compliance response from their toolkit which includes education/warnings, infringements, and prosecution. ## Key details - Author/spokesperson: Hon Shane Jones - Published: 8 Oct 2026 - Publisher country: New Zealand - Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-cracks-down-rockpool-vandals - MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01504-government-cracks-down-on-rockpool-vandals-08102026.html Original source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government-cracks-down-rockpool-vandals MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01504-government-cracks-down-on-rockpool-vandals-08102026.html