| Coromandel
Shellfish Closure - Submission
option4
3
December 2004
Proposed Extension
to the Harvesting of Cockles and Pipi Between Ngarimu and Wilson's
Bays, Coromandel Peninsula
Submission
on behalf of non-commercial fishers
1. Introduction
The Ministry of Fisheries
(MFish) has advised that the Hauraki Maori Trust Board have requested
an extension to the prohibition, made under section 186A of the
Fisheries Act 1996, to the harvesting of cockles and pipi between
Ngarimu and Wilson's Bays, Coromandel Peninsula for a further period
of two years.
Before determining whether
or not to give notice under section 186A, the Minister must first
consult those persons the Minister considers are representative
of those with an interest in the species or the area concerned.
The Minister must also provide for the input and participation
in the decision-making process of tängata whenua with a non-commercial
interest in the species or the effects of fishing in the area concerned.
This requirement to consult also applies to requests for
extensions to existing closures, restrictions, or prohibitions.
A letter dated 21 October
2004 was sent to stakeholders asking for input, providing background
information, a map of the area concerned and outlining the current
situation.
Original deadline for submissions
was 22 November 2004. MFish granted option4 an extension to 3 December
2004.
This document comprises the
submission from option4 an NGO which promotes the interests of non-commercial
marine fishers in New Zealand.
2.
Submission
option4 support the continuation
of the prohibition to the harvesting of cockles and pipi between
Ngarimu and Wilson's Bays, Coromandel Peninsula for a further period
of two years.
We also support the Hauraki
Maori Trust Board's intention to keep the customary rahui (ban)
to the harvesting of cockles and pipi between Ngarimu and Wilson's
Bays, with legislative support under s186A of the Fisheries Act
1996.
We note the surveys conducted
in the area have shown that abundance of cockles and pipi are still
low and that there appears to be no recruitment of smaller pipi.
option4 encourage the Hauraki Maori Trust Board to continue researching
and monitoring the area to determine appropriate action in the future.
While we acknowledge cockles and pipi
are an important species for customary and sustenance fishers in
many areas, due to the lack of improvement in recruitment and abundance
we accept the continuation of this closure.
2.1 Environmental
Concerns
Cockles are generally more
abundant in moderate current flows of clean seawater. We are concerned
that runoff and siltation from land maybe having an adverse effect
on these shellfish beds by smothering them or reducing their ability
to regenerate.
Pipi are an important link
in the coastal ecology, providing food for a range of invertebrates,
fishes and wading birds. They form dense beds that stabilise the
sand banks, as does the dead shell. Adverse environmental conditions
in the Ngarimu to Wilson's Bays area could conceivably have an impact
on the internationally recognised Ramsar site that is significant
to birdlife, further down the Firth of Thames. We feel the Ministry
has an obligation to maintain the quality of the marine environment
and not just use closures of fisheries to address issues of abundance
and recruitment.
Land runoff is a problem
in many coastal marine areas and the disappearance or poor performance
of shellfish beds cannot be attributed to pressure from harvesting
only, as evidenced in this case. While we acknowledge the Ministry
of Fisheries has to work within the Fisheries Act we strongly recommend
MFish work with tangata whenua, locals, other stakeholders and agencies
to improve the quality of the marine environment.
This is obviously a long-term
issue and we would be interested in supporting any measures that
negate the effects of environmental degradation in the Coromandel
area.
3.
Conclusion
We are very keen to support
the continuation of the closure of the Ngarimu and Wilson's Bays
to the harvesting of cockles and pipi under section 186A of the
Fisheries Act 1996.
The Hauraki Maori Trust Board's
intention to continue the rahui in the same area is supported.
option4 recognise that cockles
and pipi are a traditional food source for many people and culturally
significant to Maori. For fisheries of such social, cultural, environmental
and ecological value we recommend the continued monitoring of the
area.
Paul Barnes
On behalf of the option4
team
option4
PO Box 37 951
Parnell, Auckland
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