| Rights
and Marine Protection Issues
August 2003
Dear [ subscriber ]
Progress towards
securing a strong public right to fish for food.
The Reference Group, made up of representatives from NZRFC, NZBGFC
and option4 have now met with officials from the Ministry of Fisheries
6 times. Last month saw a three day workshop focused entirely on
giving effect to the Principles that the recreational fishing sector
have achieved consensus on – read the Letter
of Consensus December 2002.
A highlight of the work done by the Reference Group has been the
degree of unity and common goals being demonstrated by all involved.
Strong criteria are being developed to assist the Minister in his
allocation decisions. The “area right” discussion has
emphasised the inadequacies of the current disputes resolution processes
in the Fisheries Act (s311) and the “planning right”
discussions at last see the Ministry understanding what is required
to empower the public to contribute to sustainable management of
our fisheries. Certainly, the need for specific tools for managing
vulnerable intertidal fisheries is acknowledged. As for the public
being able to conserve fish whilst not having those same fish allocated
to the fishing industry, this will take considerable time and effort
to achieve.
NZRFC AGM.
The delegates at the NZRFC AGM held in Blenheim in July, elected
Bill Cronin from New Zealand Angling and Casting Association and
Scott Macindoe from option4 onto the NZRFC executive board. Long
serving executive member Warren Lewis was also re-elected. Kevin
Moratti (from Taranaki) stepped down after several years of solid
contribution whilst hard working and very diligent board member
Sheryl Hart (from Raglan) confirmed her ongoing commitment to the
Council even though not re-elected this year.
The AGM was, as usual a good opportunity to come up to date on the
many issues facing the public in our fisheries. Next month, a more
comprehensive report. The Minister of Fisheries, Pete Hodgson attended
the AGM – his speech can be read
online.
Great Barrier Island marine reserve - “Drop In”
meetings
The Department of Conservation held two “drop in” meetings
during July. The first was at DoC’s office at North Head,
the other at Tamaki Drive. Only 12 members of the public turned
up at North Head – an accurate reflection of the totally inadequate
effort made by DoC to notify the public of the meeting.
The Tamaki Drive meeting
saw 35 people “drop in”, most as a result of learning
of the event through a last minute option4 “Notice of Meeting”.
This form of meeting is unsatisfactory – in fact quite dysfunctional.
It is not as if they (DoC) were not asked to do it properly –
please read the address
option4 made to the Auckland Conservation Board and DoC on 26/6/03
– ignored as usual.
Many who attended the meetings strongly objected to DoC’s
tactics to move this proposal forward without consulting widely
enough. Full meeting reports can be found at the background
info page. Now that the submission period has concluded we await
the results of the analysis of submissions. We will keep you informed
on developments.
Auckland Conservation Board
The next meeting of the ACB is on Thursday 28th August. The public
are welcome to attend the meeting at the Auckland Conservancy office
on the corner of Karangahape Rd and Liverpool Street in the city.
Tawharanui marine reserve proposal
A proposal has been put forward by the Auckland Regional Council
to change the status of Tawharanui Marine Park to a marine reserve.
Last date for submissions is Friday 22nd August 2003. Call Alan
Moore at ARC on 09 3794420 for a copy of the proposal and a submission
form or go online to read the full document, option4 response and
download a submission
form.
A BIG thank you
To all those people who have sent in money, cheques, provided goods
and their valuable time, thank you. Without you we would not be
able to continue to work to secure your right to fish for food.
Your contribution is so valuable, not only to us but it also has
obvious impacts on our future generations ability to continue to
fish for a reasonable daily bag limit. Due to increasing demand
option4 now has a secure online donation facility. Some people have
already used this service and have started to make a positive contribution
to the option4 effort. Thank you. This is available at https://www.safeshop.co.nz/option4/Secure/donations.htm
Keep up the good effort.
What’s New
Auckland Conservation Board - a comprehensive package including
minutes, submission and option4 input to their meetings at
https://www.option4.co.nz/Marine_Protection/acb.htm
Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Fisheries address to the annual conference
of the NZ Recreational Fishing Council
https://www.option4.co.nz/Fisheries_Mgmt/mrfsp703.htm
Regards from the team at option4
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