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Dear
[ supporter ]
Update #31 NZ Fishing
News - October edition
Marine Reserves - twisting the truth.
Tiritiri
NZUA spokesperson Peter Crabb is reported as describing the submitters
who oppose the marine reserve as a "small, vocal" community
in Whangaparaoa (Herald 15/8/03). It is not acceptable to have an
organisation like NZUA promote a proposal and limit their process
to "local community" and then condemn those who oppose
their proposal as "local vocals". It is this sort of behaviour
that will destroy the credibility of the whole marine reserve argument.
In the same article NZUA are reported as saying "support for
the proposal is around 85 per cent when measured in the way DoC
does it". What is the DoC way of measuring the results of public
consultation? We will find out and let you know. As we write this
we have not received any analysis of any of this years marine reserve
public consultation outcomes.
Volkner Rocks
The Volkner Rocks marine reserve proposal is exactly that - a proposal,
nothing more or less. DoC have yet to release their analysis of
submissions. It comes as a surprise to read that the Minister of
Conservation regards the proposal as a "formal application
at an advanced state" (his written reply to a written question
put to him in Parliament 12/8/03). www.option4.co.nz/mpcarter0803.htm
What is going on? Either he is running ahead of himself (inappropriately)
or his officials are misleading him and us.
Great Barrier
On 18/6/03 when addressing the Hauraki Gulf Forum, the Auckland
Conservator Rob McCallum, stated that "of the 200 submissions
opened at that time, 60% supported the proposal." https://option4.co.nz/hgfrpt1.htm
60% support for WHAT? The only question in the questionnaire that
could offer an answer to an analysis of this type asks, "Do
you support the principle of a marine reserve somewhere on the north
east coast of Great Barrier Island?". What sort of a question
is that? How can we have confidence in the process if the leader
of the organisation proposing, analysing and applying for this marine
reserve feels OK about making these sort of statements? At that
same meeting he stated that "98% of the Hauraki Gulf has no
form of marine protection" - untrue and unjustifiable. The
entire Gulf has quite high levels of protection with the much vaunted
QMS in place. There are innumerable other examples of specific protection
in place such as trawl exclusion zones, cable zones, commercial
scallop dredging exclusion zones, military no go areas etc - all
told these make up a significant proportion of the waters of the
Gulf.
Analysis of the estimated 1800 submissions to the DoC marine reserve
proposal at Great Barrier has started. Results should be available
for review by the end of September. We will keep you posted on the
outcome and future plans for this area.
Auckland Conservation Board
We have invited the Board to discuss the need for an integrated
approach to protection of the marine environment. We believe it
is fundamental that groups of this nature who wholeheartedly support
marine reserves cast their focus wider and achieve an appreciation
of all of the threats and all of the mechanisms available to achieve
marine protection. Please read the content of the invitation here
www.option4.co.nz/acbm0803.htm
Auckland's West Coast
Submissions for the proposal from the West Coast Working Group close
30th September. Make sure you have your say online at www.option4.co.nz/wcpsubform.php
. Sand and Sea, the group opposing the plan, held a fishing contest
on Muriwai Beach Sunday 24th August. The event was well supported
by sponsors and contestants. Sand and Sea are planning another event
at Port Waikato soon. Check out www.sandandsea.net.nz
for details.
Reserve Summary
option4 have endeavoured to bring these proposals and their process's
to the attention of the public. We have consistently endeavoured
to present the original proposal documents in their entirety, support
them with as much relevant background information as available and
then offer the public an opportunity to make (online) submission
with all of this relevant information available. All of the marine
reserve proposals that option4 have responded to may be viewed here
https://option4.co.nz/marinereserves.htm
Kingfish
The Minister is about to announce his decision on the allocation
of the Total Allowable Catch for kingfish for the first time as
the species enters the QMS. This decision is effective 1/10/03.
option4 have assembled the relevant background information on site
to record, in perpetuity, the process and rationale behind the Ministers
decision. You can read some or all of these documents, including
a number of submissions on the final decision making process, at
www.option4.co.nz/kingfish.htm Next
month we will analyse the Ministers final decision.
Supporters
option4 would like to thank Rex and the team at Quadprint for supplying
printing services. Without support from concerned companies and
individuals option4 would not be able to continue the advocacy we
have engaged in over the past three years. Keep it up, your support
is appreciated by the public of New Zealand.
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