• restoring kahawai to healthy levels; and
• clarifying how the Minister of Fisheries ‘allows for’ recreational fishing interests, as required by section 21 of the Fisheries Act, and what principles are to be applied when managing fisheries of importance to non-commercial fishers.

As their numbers declined kahawai took on new prominence as they were easily caught from beach or boat. Then along came purse seining!

After a second review in 2005 another 10 percent proportional reduction was made.

Earlier assurances from MFish that cuts would be attributed to the parties responsible for causing fisheries depletion had been conveniently forgotten.

It is no wonder that thousands of people objected to these proportional decisions and it was the ‘last straw’ for many non-commercial fishing advocates.

Why should ordinary Kiwis suffer reductions because thousands of tonnes of kahawai had been hoovered up and exported for low value fishmeal and crayfish bait?

Scatterings of juvenile kahawai were reminders of the once-abundant schools that used to roam the coastline and local harbours.

Traditions such as surfcasting from a beach or wharf to catch a fish while teaching the kids a few lessons were becoming distant memories.

It is for these and countless other reasons that the team has stood by the legislative purpose and principles of managing fisheries in the High Court, Court of Appeal and lastly the Supreme Court.

Having healthy fisheries in a diverse marine environment will go a long way to enabling people to provide for their own social, economic and cultural well-being.