NZUA board member, Andy Stewart now fills one of two recreational positions as a representative for the NZUA on the National Rock Lobster Management Group.

The other recreational seat is held by John Holdsworth of the NZ Sport Fishing Council. Two further seats held by tangata whenua, two by the commercial sector, two by environmental stakeholders and two by the Ministry of Primary Industries.

The National Rock Lobster Management Group (NRLMG) is a national-level, multi-stakeholder group comprising representatives of the tangata whenua, recreational and commercial fishing sectors, environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), including the Fisheries New Zealand business unit.

Since its formation in 1992, the NRLMG has been the primary source of advice to MPI (formerly the Ministry of Fisheries) and the relevant Minister on New Zealand’s rock lobster fisheries. The NRLMG has a good track record in providing high quality advice on rock lobster sustainability measures; including reviewing catch settings, regulatory controls, and management procedure development.

The NRLMG acts as the primary advisor to the MPI on catch settings, regulatory and other management actions that apply specifically to rock lobster fisheries.

‍