Fisheries Act 1996

Recordkeeping, reporting, disposal of fish, and provisions relating to taking and possession of fish for purpose of sale

188A: Spat ratio

You could also call this:

"How much spat can be taken with other seafood, and how it's measured"

You need to know about the spat ratio when harvesting spat with other species. The chief executive can set a ratio in the Gazette to work out how much spat and other species you have. This ratio helps determine the weight or quantity of spat and other species taken or landed. You should be aware that the chief executive must talk to relevant people before setting the spat ratio. The ratio set by the chief executive is used to determine the weight or quantity of spat and other species for all purposes. This includes any court cases about offences against the Fisheries Act or its regulations. The chief executive's notice in the Gazette can specify when the ratio is used, such as when spat is taken, landed, or at another stage. The ratio is used to translate the weight or quantity of material taken into the weight or quantity of spat and other species. This helps with recordkeeping and reporting for people who take and possess fish for sale, as per the Fisheries Act 1996, which was amended by the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004.

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This page was last updated on 12 November 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM398375.

Topics:

Environment and resources > Farming and fishingBusiness > Industry rules

188: Conversion factors, or

"How to measure fish and seafood using conversion factors"

189: Persons who are required to keep records and returns, or

"Who needs to keep fishing records and reports?"

Part 10Recordkeeping, reporting, disposal of fish, and provisions relating to taking and possession of fish for purpose of sale

188ASpat ratio

For the purpose of determining spat catch in circumstances where spat can only practically be harvested when attached to another species or kind of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed, the chief executive may, by notice in the Gazette, set a ratio of spat to the other species or kind of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed that translates the weight or quantity of material taken, when taken or landed or at any other stage specified in the notice, to a weight or quantity of spat and a weight or quantity of the other species or kind of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed.
Before setting a spat ratio, the chief executive must consult with such bodies or persons as the chief executive considers appropriate in the circumstances.
Except as otherwise provided in the notice, the ratio set by the notice must for all purposes (including any proceedings for an offence against this Act or any regulations made under this Act) be used to determine—
the weight or quantity of spat taken or landed with the other species or kind of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed; and
if appropriate, the weight or quantity of the other species or kind of fish, aquatic life, or seaweed.

Notes

Section 188A: inserted, on 1 October 2004, by section 44 of the Fisheries Amendment Act (No 3) 2004 (2004 No 76).