The East Coast North Island shellfish fishery (Area 2) extends south from Titahi Bay, across the North Island’s south and east coasts up to Cape Runaway. The Area 2 Shellfish Plan concentrates on 25 invertebrate (mostly shellfish) species found on intertidal and nearshore habitats in Area 2, including kina, cockles, pipis, scallops, toheroa, octopus and paddle crabs.

All are valued by tangata whenua and many are targeted by amateur fishers. At this time, only paddle crabs and kina are targeted commercially, although octopus is also taken commercially as bycatch in the rock lobster fishery. Handgathering is the most commonly used fishing method for most species. The exceptions are scallops, which are also taken using dredges, and octopus, which are most frequently caught as bycatch in potting fisheries.