| Mid
North Iwi Fisheries Forum Opposes Maori Fisheries Trust on Fisheries
Amendment Bill
Hokianga
Accord
21
May 2007
The Hokianga
Accord, the mid north iwi regional fisheries forum, ratified calls
for a more precautionary approach in fisheries management and opposes
the argument to withdraw the Fisheries Amendment Bill from Te Ohu
Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Trustee.
The intention
of the amendment is to enable the Minister of Fisheries to take
precautionary measures to ensure sustainability, if the available
information is uncertain.
“Our position
is clear. Food on the table for the whanau and our mokopuna must
take priority over commercial interests. Ministerial caution when
making decisions is in the interests of all sector groups to ensure
ongoing sustainability of the resource,” said Te Runanga A Iwi O
Ngapuhi representative, Paul Haddon.
Ngapuhi,
New Zealand's largest iwi, has been an integral part of the Hokianga
Accord. The forum is dedicated to working on behalf of all New Zealanders
to achieve the objective of more fish in the water / kia maha
atu nga ika i roto te wai.
He went on
to say that “Making allocation decisions without adequate caution
would be counter-productive and in nobody's long term interests.
Our objective is supported by iwi and many recreational fishing
groups, both Maori and Pakeha, who make up the Hokianga Accord.
Ngapuhi believe that this approach is critical to its substantial
commercial interests' long-term sustainability. We will support
measures that aim to improve abundance and achieve environmental
sustainability for the wellbeing of all people.”
Mr. Haddon
also pointed out that Te Ohu Kaimoana's argument for the Bill to
be dropped is flawed because past allocation decisions have resulted
in fisheries not recovering quickly enough, meaning less fish are
available when the public fish to feed their families.
“When Maori
go fishing for a kai, 99.99% of the time we are categorised as recreational
fishers. Iwi working closely with other recreational fishing groups
is resulting in a valuable, ongoing working relationship.
“The Hokianga
Accord is proof that when it comes to the sea both Maori and Pakeha
want the same thing, improved fisheries, a healthy marine environment
and increased understanding of the benefits of communities working
together.”
A draft submission
supporting the intention of the Bill was presented and debated during
a recent Hokianga Accord hui held at Oturei marae, Dargaville. The
forum expects any changes to the Act to be consistent with the recent
High Court kahawai case that confirmed the Minister's obligation
to allow for both customary and recreational fishing interests,
to enable people to provide for their wellbeing.
The precautionary approach (an internationally accepted standard)
ought to help ensure sustainability and address the impacts of fishing
on the aquatic environment.
Contacts:
Paul Haddon
Hokianga Accord
09 4019362
Angela Griffen
TBWA Whybin
027 5780889 / 09 3085270
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