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Are
fishermen at risk of extinction?
by
the option4 team
September 2007
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This article was originally
published in the New Zealand Fishing News October 2007 edition.
The latest threat
to every New Zealander’s ability to go down to the
sea and catch a fish comes in the form of the Marine Protected
Areas (MPA) policy.
This policy has
been developed by a panel of “experts” who are
making some major assumptions about how our marine environment
is managed and how it should be protected from threats such
as fishing.
The latest document issued by the Ministry of Fisheries
(MFish) and Department of Conservation (DoC), the Classification
and Standards draft, is so complex it has even the best
‘experts’ available to amateur fishers scratching
their heads.
The general thrust
is that marine reserves qualify as MPAs and other areas
such as cable zones and Mataitai might, if they meet the
prescribed standards.
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The policy calls
for protection of a full range of marine habitats and ecosystems
with a preference for large protected areas covering multiple
habitats. For example, different bottom types and depths,
much like the mega-reserve proposed at Great Barrier that
extends out to the 12-mile limit.
To top it off, the deadline for responses is limited. Final
submissions are due by 30th September.
option4 is developing a submission, in conjunction with
the NZ Big Game Fishing Council and the Hokianga Accord,
the mid north iwi fisheries forum. The draft submission
is online; to
add your comments please visit the Marine
protected Areas Strategy page here » »
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Not
many of us would argue with the ambition of greater protection
of our marine environment, it is how we achieve the goal that
is at issue.
We currently have the
Fisheries Act, Marine Reserves Act and customary management
tools, the very same mechanisms that the MPA policy is promoting
as being the answers to our current demise. |
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Why
aren’t these tools being used now? |
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of spending millions developing more policy you would have
to question why government agencies aren’t utilising
the tools currently at their disposal. Is it because they
do not want to let go of the totalitarian control they have
over both the marine environment and those who have rights
to fish our coastal waters?
Without being given the opportunity to maximise the potential
that already exists, this process seems to be running roughshod
over the top of tangata whenua and local communities who have
already made an effort to implement measures that suit their
needs. Many of these groups are struggling to resource themselves
and could do with some of the millions being spent by bureaucrats
deep in the bowels of Wellington.
While the government will argue this process is about protecting
biodiversity, why is fishing being targeted? Line fishing
for mobile species can have little effect on local populations
or the environment.
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| As
the High Court ruled earlier this year, every New Zealander's
well settled common law right to fish has a particular value
because of our proximity to the sea and temperate climate.
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| If
we as a fishing community do not make a stand on this latest
policy proposal we will be next on the endangered species
list! |
| If you value the work option4 is doing please
use the secure online facility available
here and invest in your fishing future. |
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