Despite clear signage and public awareness campaigns, some individuals have violated the established ra’ui (temporary fishing ban) in the Aitutaki lagoon.

Tour operators in Aitutaki will now play a much bigger role in helping to improve the health of the Aitutaki lagoon as part of the ra’ui temporary fishing ban within the lagoon.

Aitutaki mayor Nick Henry says the tour operators, who benefit most from the lagoon, will be given sections of the lagoon to care for.

“We will help them with infrastructure around coral gardens,” Henry said. “And in addition, their responsibility back to the people of Aitutaki will be to help remove the crown of thorns – the Taramea eradication programme.”

Henry said they have few plans for preserving the Aitutaki lagoon, and the ra’ui is only one part of making sure that the island’s lagoon stays healthy for future generations.

Since the ra’ui was established earlier this year, Henry said they have had a few people fishing around the area.

He says they have ensured that the signage is clear, that through the social media and through the newspaper, television and radio, the people of Aitutaki are fully appreciating and understanding the benefits from the ra’ui programme.

In April this year, reminded those that there were not adhering to the ra’ui of the Aitutaki Licensing of boats by-laws 1986, Aitutaki Fisheries Protection by-laws 1990, Environment Act 2003, Marine Resources Act 2005 and Aitutaki & Manuae Bonefish Regulations 2010 (& 2016 amendment).

Henry said if anyone is caught fishing in the ra’ui areas, set net fishing within 100 metres of the ra’ui boundary, set net fishing size with more than 100metres in length and there are unattended set nets fines will be imposed up to $1000, catch and equipment will be confiscated and boats may be impounded.

He said he wanted people to understand, “that we're trying to get one part of the lagoon to really have an opportunity to regrow, and then move and then regrow again, and then move and regrow.”

Henry added that on January 7, 2027 they would shift the ra’ui and every five years thereafter.