Great Barrier Objection

Great Barrier Marine Reserve Application

Objection by Brett Rathe

1 October 2004

I am opposed to the Aotea Great Barrier marine reserve.

I have  lived and fished all of my 48 years at Omaha which is now in the middle of two marine reserves. Goat Island and Tawharanui, both on the northeast coast. By putting the proposed marine reserve at Gt Barrier it will leave us nowhere to fish in the prevailing wind so are we to fish on the windward side and risk our lives and our children's?

This area is self protecting by the weather.

The average Joe Public will never get any benefit from this area as a marine reserve like they do from the land based reserves we already have in our area. I also own and operate a charter boat. We fish this area two to three time a month weather permitting. This area is a wonderful place. I have caught my best snapper and hapuka in this area. Making this area a marine reserve will lock us out and put pressure on other areas. What is the point in that?

I hope that someone is reading all the submissions and taking note that most of the people on Gt Barrier and the mainland don't want this marine reserve. Please read all the submissions and do the right thing and drop the application. That's what the people want.

Brett Rathe
Assassin Charters