This article was originally
published in the New Zealand Fishing News February 2008 edition.
Many New Zealanders
are concerned about the pressure on coastal fisheries, marine
resources and the lack of knowledge of fisheries law. To
address this a multi-lingual website www.fish4nz.co.nz
has been designed to help people to understand how they
can help protect the fisheries and marine environment.
Key
areas have been identified where there is a lack of information
within many communities:
How fisheries are managed
Rules and regulations
Identifying fish species
What are marine reserves, mataitai, taiapure and rahui?
Safety in and around the water
The
site is available in the following languages:
English
Korean
Maori
Samoan
Chinese
Japanese
Vietnamese
Identifying different
species is often not easy. Using the simple guide in the
Fish Identification System you can find species from elephant
fish to sand flounder.
option4 and the Hokianga Accord, the mid north iwi fisheries
forum, launched this initiative in 2006 as the first step
towards bringing this information to the widest possible
audience.
Support of the Accord has enabled innovative features such
as a glossary of Maori terms translated into six other languages.
With an emphasis on safe fishing tips and how to recognise
different species it is envisaged the website will become
a valuable education tool for all New Zealanders.
Great
Barrier Reserve
In 2003 the Department
of Conservation proposed a very large marine reserve for
the northeastern coast of Aotea (Great Barrier Island),
out to the 12-nautical mile limit.
Strong opposition
to the proposal was expressed at a number of public meetings.
The application
stage has been completed and the Conservation Minister has
approved the reserve.
The final stage
in the process is underway now.
The Minister of
Fisheries, Jim Anderton, has been asked to provide his concurrence
(agreement) and allow the marine reserve to be formalised.
Jim Anderton visited
Aotea in September 2007 and held two meetings; one at Claris
and the other was a hui at Motairehe marae. The objective
was to hear the local's view of the impacts of the proposed
marine reserve.
Mr. Anderton
opened the hui by saying:
“I
will consider what you tell me today before I make my decision….I
acknowledge Maori customary rights, and customary rights
will be protected…I acknowledge Maori recreational
rights….You have asked me to consider your future
generations and I will do that….I know the cultural
value of catching a fish….We want to comply with the
rules of the Act, and I note that marine reserves must not
be contrary to the public interest.”
A vote of 100% against the proposal
was recorded at the hui. Officials did not participate in
this vote.
For four years DoC have bulldozed the people with their
reserve proposal while there is very clear opposition to
it. Strong support exists for local management. Tangata
whenua and locals are hoping Jim Anderton sticks to his
comments and protects the rights of the Aotea people and
the wider public’s interest in maintaining access
to the northeastern coast. His decision is awaited with
interest.
If you value the work option4
is doing please use the secure online facility available
here and invest in your fishing future.
