Invercargill Working Men’s Club. 7.30pm, 02/09/03

Attendance. Seven people plus two from Southern Rec fishers.
One - media.
One - wife of Alan Key – Chairman Southern Rec fishers
One - retiring sec of Southern Rec fishers.
Two – option4/Southern Sportfishing Club
Two – Local fishermen/divers.

Brian Dean and Alan Key spoke on DoC proposal to create the area around Ulva Island, excluding the privately owned beach front/zone of the Smith and Hunter families, by Christmas 2003.

DoC flew iwi, not resident Maori, to Wellington to discuss the reserve proposal. Would not invite/fly non-commercial fishing reps, told them they would have to make their own way to Wellington.

Fisheries Minister requires conformation of grounds why he should not sign off the DoC proposal.

1. Sea pens found in the area. Not endangered and are found throughout southern waters.
2. Area is currently part of a fisheries management area/zone. No dredging permitted. Bounder’d by national Park – siltration from development negated.
3. Minister told Chairman Southern Rec fishers that he prefers local control/management of fisheries.

A. Key said he wants the status quo – no change to the fisheries management area/zone.

Number of submissions to DoC re: Marine reserve. 184 against and 82 in favour.

Fisheries will hold meetings to discuss reserve proposal in September/November. One meeting Stewart Island one Invercargill.

Recommendation from floor that a letter be sent to Fisheries Minister informing him that the status quo should remain in Patterson Inlet.

Chairman Southern Rec fishers said they would wait until after the MoF meetings.