| |
Letter
to Editor - NZ Outdoor Magazine
by
Trish Rea
December
2004
|
|
This
letter was originally published in NZ Outdoor Magazine
February - March 2005 issue
Kahawai
Fishery
Congratulations
to Bill Axbey on his article "Fishy Business" in the December
issue.
The
plight of our fish species as outlined by Bill Axbey has no better
example than the kahawai, which is our number one recreational fish
for young and old and one that allows many families to enjoy a meal
of fresh fish at a reasonable cost. The article also cast doubt
on the quota system, self lauded by ministers from Luxton to Hodgson
and now Benson-Pope.
It
is that very quota system that the Minister and Ministry of Fisheries
are using and strangling the kahawai resource further by putting
it into the "system" on the basis of virtually no regard
for the recreational/customary public's interest. The quotas set
are based on the catch history of over-fishing, which is simply
"more of the plundering as in the past."
Kahawai
have been ruthlessly plundered by corporate company purse seiners
with the blessing of the Ministry of Fisheries. Kahawai are an important,
integral part of the food chain which involves other fish species
(e.g. kingfish, snapper) and sea birds.
The
recreational fishing bodies- the NZ Big Game Fishing Council, the
NZ Recreational Fishing Council, the NZ Angling and Casting Association
and option4, are preparing a legal fight to save the kahawai. We
are taking the Minister to court over his failure to recognise the
public's rights.
But
we need every outdoor-minded Kiwi's support. A committee has been
established and Supporters Booklets are being issued so the public
can reach out to their friends and families to help raise the finance
required to fund the court case.
Please
make a contribution. It's for your children and grandchildren's
future fishing too.
How
much? The most you can afford! To put it into context, an average
bottle of wine is $20. A couple of dozen beer is $25. A trout fishing
licence is $88 for just one year. We are talking in the case of
the kahawai of not one year, but years and years in the future.
It's
time to stop the madness of purse seining our kahawai out of existence
for little economic return to our country.
Contact
Don Glass on 0800 KAHAWAI (52 42 92) or email don@kahawai.co.nz
to find out more.
To
make a $20 donation please dial 0900 KAHAWAI (52 42 92) or order
your Supporters Booklet online at www.kahawai.co.nz/book_form.php
Remember
give as generously as you can. Your help is much appreciated and
vital!
Trish
Rea
Kahawai
Legal Challenge team
TOP
|
