Hot
debate
The Kaimoana
Regulations were hotly debated at Waipapa. Following
that hui the Forum sent a submission to MFish supporting
the amendment to enable the inclusion of fresh waterways
within the customary regime. A brief outline of that submission
and any Ministerial decision will be reported to the April
hui.
Without doubt one of the more contentious topics will be
the kahawai rebuild strategy proposed at Waipapa. A continuation
of those discussions will be required in light of new research,
which suggests an increase in the commercial harvest of
kahawai in the area from East Cape to North Cape is a possibility.
An Accord representative who attended the recent meeting
to develop an integrated plan for the management of West
Coast finfish will also provide an update. The North-West
Finfish Fisheries Planning Group will have had two meetings
by the time the April hui is held.
Accord
and MFish
Also on the agenda
will be MFish’ proposed engagement model for mid-north
iwi. As reported last month, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua and Ngati
Wai representatives met with MFish’ Deputy Chief Executive,
Stan Crothers and his staff prior to Christmas. According
to Ngapuhi’s Sonny Tau, the proposal by MFish needs
a lot more discussion by mid-north iwi before any agreement
can be reached.
Ngapuhi and Ngati Whatua view the Accord as being a simple
platform where mid-north interest groups get together and
discuss the real issues affecting good fisheries management
and marine protection.
There is not much point having abundant fisheries if there
is nowhere to go fishing. Likewise, it is pointless having
pockets of fish in closed-off areas, such as marine reserves,
if there are few fish available in the rest of the sea.
If you want to hear more about how Maori and non-Maori can
work together to achieve good outcomes for our fisheries,
local communities and ultimately for the benefit all New
Zealanders, please feel welcome to attend the hui and participate.
Both the NZ Big Game Fishing Council and fisheries advocacy
group option4 are regular participants in these hui.
