Ngati Kahungunu iwi in Hawke's Bay want to boost the population of paua off the coast with the help of a re-seeding project.
Iwi fisheries director Adele Whyte says the idea is to take juvenvile paua grown in a land-based hatchery at Te Kaha and plant them at strategic locations along the Hawke's Bay coastline.
She says the pilot phase would see 100,000 shellfish placed in rocky areas off Waimarama, Pourerere and Porangahau.
Dr Whyte says the project, which will be a first for Hawke's Bay, is a partnership between Kahungunu hapu, the Paua Industry Council and the general public.
A hui will be held on Saturday 16 October on the Rongomaraeroa marae at Porangahau to discuss all aspects of paua re-seeding.
