Letter from MPI:
Dear Fishers,
Your help is requested with the Kaikoura rock lobster (crayfish) tagging programme. As part of a wider survey within the earthquake response, over one thousand rock lobsters have been tagged for monitoring future growth rates and coastal migration.
If you catch a lobster with a tag located between the carapace (body) and tail could you please write down the location, depth, tag number and send that to larnce@burkhart-fish.co.nz, or drop the information off to the local MPI Compliance office. Fishers are encouraged to return any tagged rock lobsters to the sea so that more information may be collected on them into the future.
Collaboration between NZ RLIC, CRAMAC 5, MPI, NIWA and local commercial rock lobster fishers was key to mapping the situation and getting a fix on lobster status so quickly.
Please pass this request on to anyone who may be interested.
