Report
on Drop In Meeting
Great Barrier Island Marine Reserve
15
July 2003
Venue: Marine Rescue Centre, Tamaki Drive, Auckland
Date: Tuesday 15th July 2003
Duration: 3.0 hours
Attendance: 35 people and 3 DoC staff
Introduction
The meeting was lead by Warwick Murray, Department of Conservation
(DoC) Auckland. Also present was Emma Rush (DoC) and Cath Tizard,
Auckland Conservation Board. This was a 'Drop In' meeting organised
by DoC.
Discussion
Due to the nature of the meeting many people arrived during the
discussion and inadvertently asked similar questions that had previously
been discussed. This had the effect of limiting the debate to much
the same subjects over the three-hour period.
The majority were against the proposal. A couple of people spoke
out in support of the concept but not the whole 'Area of Interest'
in the proposal document.
No research
has been done on the no-fishing navy zone adjacent to the proposed
area.
Warwick Murray stated, " we don't need to go off and do endless
research, we don't know how it's going to change in that area."
No research is available regarding the fish stocks removed from
the area or the numbers of vessels that use the area. DoC accepts
there will be some affect on peoples' use of the area.
Weather conditions
dictate use of the area and extra protection is unwarranted.
Dissatisfaction
regarding the timing, advertising and venue of this meeting. option4
representative Scott Macindoe advised DoC " you have created
this sham, this shambles of public meetings."
Almost unanimous
support was given to the statement ' this is dysfunctional.'
Fishers only
target four species out of an estimated 8000 within the area. 7996
species are relatively unaffected by our fishing effort. Warwick
Murray continually emphasised DoC were in to habitat management
not fishery management.
The attitude towards fishers was evident in Warwick Murray's comment,
" you can't tell me people are sustenance fishing from a $100,000
boat. Let's not pretend its people who are fishing to survive."
Conclusion
There is very little support for the proposal. A lot of dissatisfaction
with the consultation process was expressed. DoC advised they are
developing a new strategy in 2005 to include the public in the process.
This has to be a better way to approach the issue.
A coordinated, integrated approach to marine protection is the best
way to get the public to buy-in to their proposals. DoC advises
they are keen to take that approach although other agencies have
advised otherwise.
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